Effects of hydroxyflutamide in the medial preoptic area or lateral septum on reproductive behaviors in male rats.
We examined whether androgen receptors in the medial preoptic area (MPOA) and lateral septum (LS) are required for the expression of copulation and sexual motivation. Castrated males received testosterone-filled silastic capsules to restore behavior, and were implanted with the antiandrogen hydroxyflutamide (OHF) or blank cannulae. One group was implanted in either the anteroventral MPOA or LS (ANT group). Another group was implanted in the posterodorsal MPOA or LS (POST group). Copulation was tested on days 2, 6, 10, and 14 of OHF exposure; partner preference, a measure of sexual motivation, was tested on day 15. The results showed that sexual behavior was significantly suppressed by OHF in the MPOA of the ANT group, but not the POST group. However, sexual motivation was significantly reduced by OHF in the MPOA of the POST group, but not the ANT group. In the LS, OHF had no effect on sexual behavior and partner preference regardless of implant site. The data suggest site specificity within the MPOA for androgen receptor activation of male reproductive behaviors.
McGinnis
Marilyn Y
MY
Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Center for Anatomy and Functional Morphology, New York, NY 10029, USA. marilyn.mcginnis@mssm.edu
Montana
Robert C
RC
Lumia
Augustus R
AR
D000726:Androgen Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005485:Flutamide / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D011301:Preoptic Area / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D011944:Receptors, Androgen / Q000502:physiology; D012686:Septal Nuclei / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology
D000726:Androgen Antagonists; D011944:Receptors, Androgen; C014290:hydroxyflutamide; D005485:Flutamide