***************
Invited Symposium: Neural Substrates of Sexual Motivation and Performance as Revealed by Neural Immediate-Early Gene Expression






Abstract

Background

Progesterone induces Fos expression

VCS effects on PR-IR neurons

Integration Via PRs

References




Discussion
Board

INABIS '98 Home Page Your Session Symposia & Poster Sessions Plenary Sessions Exhibitors' Foyer Personal Itinerary New Search

Influences of Mating Stimulation on Sex Steroid Receptor-containing Neurons: Use of Immediate Early Proteins

Blaustein, JD (Center for Neuroendocrine Studies, University of Massachusetts, USA)
Auger, AP (Department of Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, USA)
Meredith, JL (Division of Neurotoxicology, National Center for Toxicological Research, USA)
Moffatt, CA (Department of Biology, San Francisco State University, USA)

Contact Person: Jeffrey D. Blaustein (blaustein@cns.umass.edu)


Abstract

The ovarian steroid hormones, estradiol and progesterone, induce the expression of sexual receptivity in female rats. Subsequent mating stimulation then influences reproductive behavior, including lordosis and duration of sexual receptivity. As intraneuronal progestin receptors (PRs) have a central role in regulating sexual behaviors, mating stimulation could influence sexual receptivity via PRs. To test this idea, Fos immunocytochemistry was used to determine if neurons influenced by afferent input from the social environment, by neurotransmitters, or by hormone injection also contain PRs. Mating stimulation, like progesterone, induces Fos expression in a variety of neuroanatomical areas. A subset of the Fos-expressing neurons also contains PRs, suggesting the presence of a population of neurons in which mating stimulation may influence PRs. Likewise, a population of neurons was observed that expresses Fos in response to stimulation with a D1 agonist, and a subpopulation of these neurons contains PRs. The finding that injection of a progestin antagonist reduces VCS-induced Fos expression in some of these neurons supports the idea that some cellular responses to VCS are mediated by PRs. These Fos-PR colocalization studies enable us to study the cellular processes by which afferent input influences PR-containing neurons. It is in these neurons that response to afferent input and to progesterone may be integrated.

Back to the top.
Presentation Number SAblaustein0310
Keywords: progesterone, sex behavior, vaginocervical


| Discussion Board | Next Page | Your Symposium |
Blaustein, JD; Auger, AP; Meredith, JL; Moffatt, CA; (1998). Influences of Mating Stimulation on Sex Steroid Receptor-containing Neurons: Use of Immediate Early Proteins. Presented at INABIS '98 - 5th Internet World Congress on Biomedical Sciences at McMaster University, Canada, Dec 7-16th. Invited Symposium. Available at URL http://www.mcmaster.ca/inabis98/baum/blaustein0310/index.html
© 1998 Author(s) Hold Copyright