Identification of a potential ejaculation generator in the spinal cord.
We tested the significance of a population of lumbar spinothalamic cells for male sexual behavior in rats. These cells are positioned to relay ejaculation-related signals from reproductive organs to the brain, and they express neurokinin-1 receptors. Ablation of these neurons by the selective toxin SSP-saporin resulted in a complete disruption of ejaculatory behavior. In contrast, other components of sexual behavior remained intact. These results suggest that this population of spinothalamic cells plays a pivotal role in generation of ejaculatory behavior and may be part of a spinal ejaculation generator.
Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology, and Anatomy, Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Post Office Box 670521, Cincinnati, OH 45267-0521, USA.
William A
WA
Truitt
Lique M
LM
Coolen
D000818:Animals; D004542:Ejaculation / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008161:Lumbosacral Region; D008297:Male; D009431:Neural Conduction; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D018040:Receptors, Neurokinin-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D054789:Ribosome Inactivating Proteins, Type 1; D000076985:Saporins; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D013788:Thalamus / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*
D018040:Receptors, Neurokinin-1; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D054789:Ribosome Inactivating Proteins, Type 1; C454685:SSP-SAP fusion protein, recombinant; D000076985:Saporins