Correlation of catecholamine levels in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis and reduced sexual behavior in middle-aged male rats.
The correlation between dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE) levels in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) and male sexual behavior was examined in middle-aged rats. Male rats (18-19 months) were divided into: (a) Group MIE, consisting of rats showing mounts, intromissions, and ejaculations; (b) Group MI, composed of rats showing mounts and intromissions, but no ejaculation; and (c) Group NC, consisting of noncopulators. Young adult rats (4-5 months) displaying complete copulatory behavior were used as the control. Tissue levels of DA, NE, and DA metabolites in the BNST were measured by high-pressure liquid chromatography. DA, but not NE, levels in MIE rats were significantly lower than those in young controls. DA and NE levels in MIE rats were significantly higher than those in NC rats. These results suggest that DA and NE in the BNST might play an important role in the control of male sexual behavior in middle-aged rats.
Chen
Joyce C
JC
Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
Tsai
Houng-Wei
HW
Yeh
Kuei-Ying
KY
Tai
Mei-Yun
MY
Tsai
Yuan-Feen
YF
D015102:3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism*; D006719:Homovanillic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D020318:Rats, Long-Evans; D012686:Septal Nuclei / Q000378:metabolism*; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology*
D015102:3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid; D004298:Dopamine; D009638:Norepinephrine; D006719:Homovanillic Acid