title: Effects of Ibotenic Acid-Induced Neuronal Degeneration in the Hypothalamus upon Proceptivity and Sexual Receptivity in the Female Marmoset (Callithrix jacchus).
abstract: The sexual behaviour of 16, oestradiol-treated, ovariectomized common marmosets was recorded before and after bilateral microinfusions of ibotenic acid (n = 8) or isotonic saline (n = 8) into the hypothalamus. Ibotenic acid-induced neuronal degeneration occurred in 5 females, mainly affecting the anterior and dorsomedial hypothalamus. Marked decreases in proceptivity (tongue-flicking, staring and immobile displays) occurred after ibotenic acid lesions, whereas sexual receptivity (refusals and terminations of male partners' mounts) was unchanged. In 3 females where microinfusions of ibotenic acid were attempted but failed to produce lesions, sexual behaviour was unaffected and resembled that measured in saline-treated controls. These results provide the first evidence that selective lesions of neuronal cell bodies in the anteromedial hypothalamus disrupt proceptivity whilst sparing sexual receptivity in a primate species.
authors.affiliation: Primate Centre, Centre International de Recherches Médicales, B.P. 769 Franceville, Gabon and MRC Reproductive Biology Unit, 37 Chalmers Street, Edinburgh EH3 9EW, UK. Department of Anatomy, University of Cambridge, UK.
authors.forename: A F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Dixson
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Hastings