title: Neuroendocrine regulation of estrous behavior in the rabbit: similarities and differences with the rat.
abstract: In this review, we compare the neuroendocrine control of estrous behavior in the rabbit, a reflex ovulator, and the rat, a more commonly studied spontaneous ovulator. Although the hormonal control of estrous behavior in both species is similar, notable differences include the absence of a stimulatory effect of progesterone (P) on sexual behavior in the rabbit and the retention of sexual behavior in a substantial proportion of female rabbits after ovariectomy. The ventrolateral component of the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) and an adjacent region caudal to it appear to be critical estrogen (E)-responsive regions for lordosis in the rat and rabbit, respectively. In both species the effects of E and P are largely mediated by the genomic action of their receptors (ER and PR), and in both species E similarly regulates the expression of these receptors. The prolonged, E-stimulated estrous of the rabbit is terminated after mating by unknown mechanisms, while the brief estrous of the rat is triggered by the proestrous peak of P and terminated by both the decline in P and the downregulation of hypothalamic PR. In both species, P most likely inhibits estrous behavior during pregnancy, and postpartum estrous may be triggered by a stimulatory effect of E coinciding with the withdrawal of P-mediated inhibition. Estrous behavior is inhibited in both species during lactation, most likely by the suckling-induced inhibition of gonadotropin secretion. This comparative approach can reveal neuroendocrine mechanisms underlying estrous behavior that are common to all mammals, while highlighting evolutionary adaptations unique to each species.
authors.affiliation: Centro de Investigación en Reproducción Animal, CINVESTAV-Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala, Apartado Postal 62, Tlaxcala, Tlax. 90000, Mexico. cbeyer34@yahoo.com.mx
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Beyer
authors.forename: Kurt L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Hoffman
authors.forename: Oscar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: González-Flores
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D030762:Estrous Cycle / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000494:pharmacology; D007774:Lactation / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems / Q000502:physiology*; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000523:psychology; D011817:Rabbits / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology*; D051381:Rats / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology*; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones