EFFECT OF PEPTIDE HORMONES ON SEXUAL MOTIVATION IN RATS AFTER CHRONIC SOCIAL ISOLATION

Introduction. Stress during puberty exerts long-term effects on endocrine systems and brain structures, such as the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and basolateral amygdala (BLA), two cerebral areas that participate in modulating sexual behavior and whose functioning is regulated by androgenic hormones. Objective. To evaluate the effect of pubertal stress due to social isolation on the sexual motivation, serum testosterone levels, and electroencephalographic activity (EEG) of the PFC and BLA in male rats. Method. Sixty sexually-experienced male rats were used. Thirty were stressed by social isolation during puberty (SG, housed 1 per cage, postnatal days 25-50); the other 30 formed the control group (CG, 5 per cage). All rats were implanted bilaterally with stainless steel electrodes in the PFC and BLA. EEGs were recorded during the awake-quiet state in two conditions: without sexual motivation (WSM), and with sexual motivation (SM). After EEG recording, the rats were sacrificed by decapitation to measure their testosterone levels. Results. SG showed lower sexual motivation and testosterone levels, but higher amygdaline EEG activation in the presence of a receptive female, while CG showed higher prefrontal EEG activation. Discussion and conclusion. It is probable that the decreased testosterone levels resulting from pubertal stress affected prefrontal and amygdaline functionality and, hence, sexual motivation. These data could explain some of the hormonal and cerebral changes associated with stress-induced sexual alterations, though this suggestion requires additional clinical and animal research.

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Plant peptide hormone signalling

Essays in Biochemistry ◽

10.1042/bse0580115 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 58 ◽

pp. 115-131 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Ayane Motomitsu ◽

Shinichiro Sawa ◽

Takashi Ishida

Keyword(s):

Communication Systems ◽

Cell Communication ◽

Peptide Hormone ◽

Peptide Hormones ◽

Target Cells ◽

Signalling Molecules ◽

Receptor Complexes ◽

Environmental Responses ◽

Plant Life Cycle ◽

Multicellular Organisms

The ligand–receptor-based cell-to-cell communication system is one of the most important molecular bases for the establishment of complex multicellular organisms. Plants have evolved highly complex intercellular communication systems. Historical studies have identified several molecules, designated phytohormones, that function in these processes. Recent advances in molecular biological analyses have identified phytohormone receptors and signalling mediators, and have led to the discovery of numerous peptide-based signalling molecules. Subsequent analyses have revealed the involvement in and contribution of these peptides to multiple aspects of the plant life cycle, including development and environmental responses, similar to the functions of canonical phytohormones. On the basis of this knowledge, the view that these peptide hormones are pivotal regulators in plants is becoming increasingly accepted. Peptide hormones are transcribed from the genome and translated into peptides. However, these peptides generally undergo further post-translational modifications to enable them to exert their function. Peptide hormones are expressed in and secreted from specific cells or tissues. Apoplastic peptides are perceived by specialized receptors that are located at the surface of target cells. Peptide hormone–receptor complexes activate intracellular signalling through downstream molecules, including kinases and transcription factors, which then trigger cellular events. In this chapter we provide a comprehensive summary of the biological functions of peptide hormones, focusing on how they mature and the ways in which they modulate plant functions.

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1078: Increase in Proceptivity/Sexual Motivation by Melanotan-II (MT-II) in Female Rats

The Journal of Urology ◽

10.1016/s0022-5347(18)35234-0 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 173 (4S) ◽

pp. 292-292

Author(s):

Anne-Sophie Rössler ◽

Jacques Bernabé ◽

Laurent Alexandre ◽

Stéphane Droupy ◽

Gerard Benoft ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sexual Motivation ◽

Female Rats ◽

Melanotan Ii

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1077: Facilitation of Proceptivity/Sexual Motivation in Female Rats by a Serotonin 2A/2C (5-HT2A/2C) Receptors Agonist

The Journal of Urology ◽

10.1016/s0022-5347(18)35233-9 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 173 (4S) ◽

pp. 292-292

Author(s):

Anne-Sophie Rössler ◽

Jacques Bernabé ◽

Laurent Alexandre ◽

François Giuliano

Keyword(s):

Sexual Motivation ◽

Female Rats ◽

Serotonin 2A

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Motives for Social Isolation Following a Negative Emotional Episode

Swiss Journal of Psychology ◽

10.1024/1421-0185/a000211 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 77 (3) ◽

pp. 127-131

Author(s):

Gérald Delelis ◽

Véronique Christophe

Keyword(s):

Social Isolation ◽

Social Affiliation ◽

Semantic Categorization ◽

Future Studies ◽

Cognitive Regulation ◽

Emotional Event ◽

Regulation Strategies ◽

Emotional Events

Abstract. After experiencing an emotional event, people either seek out others’ presence (social affiliation) or avoid others’ presence (social isolation). The determinants and effects of social affiliation are now well-known, but social psychologists have not yet thoroughly studied social isolation. This study aims to ascertain which motives and corresponding regulation strategies participants report for social isolation following negative emotional events. A group of 96 participants retrieved from memory an actual negative event that led them to temporarily socially isolate themselves and freely listed up to 10 motives for social isolation. Through semantic categorization of the 423 motives reported by the participants, we found that “cognitive clarification” and “keeping one’s distance” – that is, the need for cognitive regulation and the refusal of socioaffective regulation, respectively – were the most commonly and quickly reported motives for social isolation. We discuss the findings in terms of ideas for future studies aimed at clarifying the role of social isolation in health situations.

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The Need to Belong and the Relationship Between Loneliness and Health

Zeitschrift für Gesundheitspsychologie ◽

10.1026/0943-8149/a000129 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 22 (4) ◽

pp. 194-201 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Freda-Marie Hartung ◽

Britta Renner

Keyword(s):

Individual Differences ◽

Social Isolation ◽

Social Situation ◽

First Year ◽

Health State ◽

Need To Belong ◽

First Year University ◽

Perceived Social Isolation ◽

The Impact ◽

The Relationship

Humans are social animals; consequently, a lack of social ties affects individuals’ health negatively. However, the desire to belong differs between individuals, raising the question of whether individual differences in the need to belong moderate the impact of perceived social isolation on health. In the present study, 77 first-year university students rated their loneliness and health every 6 weeks for 18 weeks. Individual differences in the need to belong were found to moderate the relationship between loneliness and current health state. Specifically, lonely students with a high need to belong reported more days of illness than those with a low need to belong. In contrast, the strength of the need to belong had no effect on students who did not feel lonely. Thus, people who have a strong need to belong appear to suffer from loneliness and become ill more often, whereas people with a weak need to belong appear to stand loneliness better and are comparatively healthy. The study implies that social isolation does not impact all individuals identically; instead, the fit between the social situation and an individual’s need appears to be crucial for an individual’s functioning.

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