title: Same-sex cohabitation under the effects of quinpirole induces a conditioned socio-sexual partner preference in males, but not in female rats.
abstract: The effects of the dopamine D2-type receptor agonist quinpirole (QNP) were examined on the development of conditioned same-sex partner preference induced by cohabitation in rats. In Experiment 1, males received either saline or QNP (1.25mg/kg) and cohabited during three trials with almond-scented stimulus males that were sexually naïve. In Experiment 2, males received six trials, and in Experiment 3 received three trials with sexually expert stimulus males. During a final drug-free preference test, males chose between the familiar or a novel male partner. In Experiments 1, 2 and 3 only QNP-treated males displayed a social preference for the familiar male, observed with more time spent together. In Experiment 3 males also displayed a sexual preference observed with more non-contact erections when were exposed to their male partner. In Experiment 4 we tested the effects on OVX, E+P primed females that received 1 systemic injection of either saline or QNP during three conditioning trials. In Experiment 5, females received 2 injections 12-h apart during each trial. Results indicated that both saline and QNP-treated females failed to develop partner preference. These data demonstrate that enhanced D2-type receptor activity during cohabitation facilitates the development of conditioned same-sex partner preference in males, but not in female rats. We discuss the implications for same-sex partner preferences.
authors.affiliation: Programa de Neurobiología, Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico.
authors.forename: Rodrigo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Triana-Del Rio
authors.forename: Felix
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Montero-Domínguez
authors.forename: Tamara
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Cibrian-Llanderal
authors.forename: Miriam B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Tecamachaltzi-Silvaran
authors.forename: Luis I
authors.initials: LI
authors.lastname: Garcia
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Manzo
authors.forename: María Elena
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Hernandez
authors.forename: Genaro A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Coria-Avila
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D003307:Copulation / Q000187:drug effects; D003463:Cues; D018491:Dopamine Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006716:Homosexuality / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D009812:Odorants; D010052:Ovariectomy; D010410:Penile Erection / Q000187:drug effects; D010988:Play and Playthings; D011374:Progesterone / Q000494:pharmacology; D019257:Quinpirole / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D017447:Receptors, Dopamine D1 / Q000187:drug effects; D017448:Receptors, Dopamine D2 / Q000187:drug effects; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D012747:Sexual Partners; D012903:Smell / Q000502:physiology; D012919:Social Behavior
chemical_list: D018491:Dopamine Agonists; D017447:Receptors, Dopamine D1; D017448:Receptors, Dopamine D2; D019257:Quinpirole; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol