A model for the study of sexual function in anesthetized male and female rats

A preparation for the study of sexual function in anesthetized spinal male and female rats is discussed. Urethral stimulation in males elicited penile erection, ejaculation, and rhythmic contractions of the striated perineal muscles. In females, vaginal and uterine contractions and rhythmic contractions of the perineal muscles were elicited. These responses show many similarities to responses seen during sexual climax in unanesthetized humans and animals. This response, which we refer to as the urethrogenital reflex, is unaffected in either sex by gonadectomy. We determined that the urethrogenital reflex is produced by a spinal pattern generator and is under tonic descending inhibition from the brain stem. We conclude that this preparation may be a valuable model for experimental study of the neural mechanisms of sexual function in both sexes.

Download Full-text

Combination of electroconvulsive stimulation with ketamine or escitalopram protects the brain against inflammation and oxidative stress induced by maternal deprivation and is critical for associated behaviors in male and female rats

Molecular Neurobiology ◽

10.1007/s12035-021-02718-x ◽

2022 ◽

Author(s):

Helena M. Abelaira ◽

Thayse Rosa ◽

Airam B. de Moura ◽

Natalia M. Andrade ◽

Nicoly S. Martinello ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Maternal Deprivation ◽

Female Rats ◽

Male And Female ◽

Male And Female Rats ◽

Electroconvulsive Stimulation ◽

The Brain ◽

And Oxidative Stress

Download Full-text

CELLULAR LOCALIZATION OF A PROLACTIN-LIKE ANTIGEN IN THE RAT BRAIN

Journal of Endocrinology ◽

10.1677/joe.0.0830261 ◽

1979 ◽

Vol 83 (2) ◽

pp. 261-NP ◽

Cited By ~ 42

Author(s):

G. TOUBEAU ◽

J. DESCLIN ◽

M. PARMENTIER ◽

J. L. PASTEELS

Keyword(s):

Rat Brain ◽

Cellular Localization ◽

Female Rats ◽

Nerve Fibres ◽

Male And Female ◽

Immunoreactive Material ◽

Paraventricular Nuclei ◽

Male And Female Rats ◽

The Brain

The distribution of immunoreactive neurones and fibres was studied in rat brain using an antiserum to rat prolactin. Neurones containing the immunoreactive material were localized in the arcuate, ventromedial, premamillary, supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei of the hypothalamus. Immunoreactive nerve fibres were widely distributed within the brain. No differences were observed in labelling between male and female rats, or as a consequence of hypophysectomy.

Download Full-text

PREVENTION OF CENTRAL DEFEMINIZATION BUT NOT MASCULINIZATION IN MALE RATS BY INHIBITION NEONATALLY OF OESTROGEN BIOSYNTHESIS

Journal of Endocrinology ◽

10.1677/joe.0.0740375 ◽

1977 ◽

Vol 74 (3) ◽

pp. 375-382 ◽

Cited By ~ 106

Author(s):

J. T. M. VREEBURG ◽

PAULA D. M. VAN DER VAART ◽

P. VAN DER SCHOOT

Keyword(s):

Sexual Function ◽

Ovarian Function ◽

Testosterone Propionate ◽

Neonatal Period ◽

Female Rats ◽

Male Rats ◽

Normal Male ◽

Male And Female ◽

Male And Female Rats ◽

Copulatory Behaviour

SUMMARY An inhibitor of aromatization, androsta-1,4,6-triene-3,17-dione (ATD), was administered to newborn male and female rats and various parameters of gonadal and sexual function were examined in adulthood. Males injected with 1 mg ATD on the day of birth (day 1) and on days 3, 5, 10 and 15 postnatally, subsequently (day 55) showed normal male and female copulatory behaviour, but were not able to maintain cyclicity in ovarian transplants. When the ATD was administered by Silastic implants, however, cyclicity in ovarian transplants did occur. Neither form of treatment brought about significant changes in neonatal plasma or testicular testosterone concentrations. Female rats implanted on day 3 of life with Silastic capsules containing ATD and then given an injection of 0·25 mg testosterone propionate on day 5 subsequently showed normal ovarian function, whereas the controls receiving only testosterone propionate showed persistent vaginal cornification, anovulation and polyfollicular ovaries. The results support the view that the central conversion of testicular androgens to oestrogens during the neonatal period is necessary to abolish cyclic gonadotrophin release and to suppress female copulatory behaviour.

Download Full-text

Sex difference in resting pituitary-adrenal function in the rat

American Journal of Physiology-Legacy Content ◽

10.1152/ajplegacy.1963.205.5.807 ◽

1963 ◽

Vol 205 (5) ◽

pp. 807-815 ◽

Cited By ~ 356

Author(s):

V. Critchlow ◽

R. A. Liebelt ◽

M. Bar-Sela ◽

W. Mountcastle ◽

H. S. Lipscomb

Keyword(s):

Sex Difference ◽

Ovarian Function ◽

Adrenal Function ◽

Neural Mechanisms ◽

Female Rats ◽

Male And Female ◽

Male And Female Rats ◽

Environmental Lighting ◽

Lighting Regimen

Resting levels of plasma and adrenal corticosteroids, pituitary content of adrenocorticotropin, and circulating leukocytes were determined at intervals during controlled 24-hr light-dark cycles in intact, castrated, sham-castrated adult and prepubertal male and female rats. To study the influence of environmental lighting rhythms, corticosteroid levels were similarly followed in intact and blinded male and female rats and in ovariectomized females following a 9-hr shift in lighting regimen. All groups of animals showed evidence of cyclic pituitary-adrenal function, but the presence of mature ovaries was associated with marked facilitation of the diurnal excursions in corticosteroid levels. Furthermore, the results indicated that the mechanisms responsible for pituitary-adrenal rhythmicity are influenced by cyclic ovarian function, are sensitive to pentobarbital, and are synchronized by environmental lighting rhythms perceived through the eyes. Several of the features of pituitary-adrenal function under resting conditions resemble those associated with cyclic release of gonadotropin leading to ovulation. Similar or overlapping neural mechanisms may be responsible for these endocrine rhythms.

Download Full-text