Neural Substrates for Sexual Preference and Motivation in the Female and Male Rat

Abstract

Rodents identify a mating partner by using olfactory cues. Female rats in estrus spend a longer time sniffing odors of sexually active males when physical contacts are hampered. Sexually active males are attracted by odors of receptive females. The preference in either sex disappears when the subjects are gonadectomized, an effect reversible by supplement with estrogen or testosterone. Thus, circulating sex steroids determine the odor preference in both sexes. In both sexes, olfactory cues get to the basal forebrain; this area includes the preoptic area (POA), substantia innominata and accumbens, structures with estrogen receptor-positive neurons. In estrous females, neurons in the POA are activated during precopulatory motivational behavior. Lesion in this area practically eliminates sexual preference and diminishes the motivation. An increase in locomotion in females in estrus, which apparently depends on estrogen-sensitive POA projections to the midbrain locomotor region, has been considered to embody enhanced sexual motivation.

Expression Patterns of Neuroligin-3 and Tyrosine Hydroxylase across the Brain in Mate Choice Contexts in Female Swordtails

“…While it has been documented that some of these brain regions (e.g. POA) can vary in neuronal properties with social structure, hormone levels, and copulation in males [White and Fernald, 1993;Prince et al, 1998;White et al, 2002;Sakuma, 2008], an analogous situation in females is unlikely in the current study. Female X. nigrensis breed year-round ; we did not detect any relationship between circulating estradiol levels and neuroligin-3 expression and females were not allowed to physically interact with males (online suppl.…”

Estrogen-Induced Sexual Incentive Motivation, Proceptivity and Receptivity Depend on a Functional Estrogen Receptor α in the Ventromedial Nucleus of the Hypothalamus but Not in the Amygdala

“…Lesion studies have revealed that receptivity can be abolished without affecting approach to a sexually active male [13] while approach can be affected without reducing receptivity [14]. Some lesions may even enhance receptivity while reducing sexual approach [15]. Thus, the fact that the brain structures and the ER subtype involved in receptivity and proceptivity are quite well known does not mean that this applies to sexual approach behaviors.…”

Efeitos Do Estresse Pré-Natal Sobre O Comportamento De Preferência Sexual De Ratos Machos Na Idade Adulta

“…É possível, também, que áreas como a amígdala medial e área pre-óptica medial do hipotálamo, importantes regiões encefálicas envolvidas com o comportamento de motivação sexual (SAKUMA, 2008;WILL;HULL;DOMINGUEZ, 2014), possam ter sido afetadas pelo estresse pré-natal. Além disso, trabalhos mostram que a sensibilidade a odores, como os feromônios, os quais desempenham um eminente papel no comportamento sexual de ratos, agem tanto no sistema olfatório acessório quanto no sistema olfatório principal.…”