Effect of acute stress on sexual behavior in female rats: participation of the central angiotensinergic system.
Stress might influence the reproductive behavior in females, and central angiotensin II (Ang II) is a peptide that plays a role in stress response and in the modulation of sexual behavior. The medial amygdala (MeA), an important structure that regulates this behavior, is strongly involved in stress response. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of acute restraint stress on the night of proestrus on sexual receptivity in female rats and the participation of Ang II and MeA in this effect. Adult female Wistar rats with regular estrous cycles were utilized. The acute stress protocol utilized was the restraint stress for 15 min on the night of proestrus. The participation of Ang II was evaluated by injecting Ang II and Ang II receptor antagonists (losartan and PD12319) into the MeA. The lordosis quotient was recorded. The stress or the microinjection of Ang II into the MeA significantly reduced sexual behavior. The blockade of AT(1) or AT(2) receptors in the MeA prevented the effect of stress and the effect of Ang II microinjection into this nucleus on sexual receptivity. We concluded that acute restraint stress on the night of proestrus reduces sexual behavior in rats, and this effect is mediated by both AT(1) and AT(2) receptors in the MeA.
Cecconello
Ana Lúcia
AL
Laboratório de Neuroendocrinologia do Comportamento, Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Sarmento Leite 500, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul (RS) 90050-170, Brazil. analuciacecconello@yahoo.com.br
Raineki
Charlis
C
Sebben
Vanise
V
Lucion
Aldo Bolten
AB
Sanvitto
Gilberto Luiz
GL
D000208:Acute Disease; D000679:Amygdala / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000804:Angiotensin II / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology; D057912:Angiotensin II Type 2 Receptor Blockers; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000494:pharmacology; D019808:Losartan / Q000494:pharmacology; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D009865:Oocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D011359:Proestrus; D011725:Pyridines / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D044140:Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D044139:Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D012149:Restraint, Physical; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013997:Time Factors
D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers; D057912:Angiotensin II Type 2 Receptor Blockers; D007093:Imidazoles; D011725:Pyridines; D044140:Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1; D044139:Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 2; D000804:Angiotensin II; C073402:PD 123319; D019808:Losartan