Paced mating behavior in the female rat following lesions of three regions responsive to vaginocervical stimulation

The present study examines the effects of ibotenic acid lesions of the medial amygdala, the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis and the medial preoptic area on the display of paced mating behavior in female rats. Lesions of either the medial amygdala or the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis have n...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Brain research 2004-02, Vol.999 (1), p.40-52
Main Authors: Guarraci, Fay A, Megroz, Alison B, Clark, Ann S
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Afferent Pathways - cytology
Afferent Pathways - physiology
Amygdala - cytology
Amygdala - physiology
Anatomical correlates of behavior
Animals
Bed nucleus of the stria terminalis
Behavioral psychophysiology
Biological and medical sciences
Cervix Uteri - innervation
Cervix Uteri - physiology
Copulation - physiology
Denervation
Female
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Limbic System - cytology
Limbic System - physiology
Medial amygdala
Medial preoptic area
Physical Stimulation
Preoptic Area - cytology
Preoptic Area - physiology
Proceptive behavior
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychology. Psychophysiology
Rats
Rats, Long-Evans
Reaction Time - physiology
Septal Nuclei - cytology
Septal Nuclei - physiology
Sex Factors
Sexual behavior
Sexual Behavior, Animal - physiology
Vagina - innervation
Vagina - physiology
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Summary:The present study examines the effects of ibotenic acid lesions of the medial amygdala, the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis and the medial preoptic area on the display of paced mating behavior in female rats. Lesions of either the medial amygdala or the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis have no effect on the display of paced mating behaviors in ovariectomized, hormone-primed rats. In contrast, lesions of the medial preoptic area significantly lengthen contact-return latencies following intromissions and ejaculations and increase withdrawal from the male following intromissions. The present study demonstrates that the medial amygdala and the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis are not involved in the behavioral responses accompanying paced mating behavior, whereas the medial preoptic area is a critical component of the neural circuit mediating paced mating behavior as well as other appetitive aspects of mating.
ISSN:0006-8993
1872-6240
DOI:10.1016/j.brainres.2003.10.056