Effective intervals for the administration of estradiol pulses and the induction of sexual behavior in female rats

Ann S. Clark, Edward J. Roy

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The interval between two pulses of estradiol was varied and subsequent progesterone-facilitated female sexual behavior was observed. The total dose of estradiol (2 μg free estradiol) has been shown previously to elicit little receptivity when administered in a single pulse. In the present study, two pulses of 1.0 μg free estradiol separated by anywhere from 3-36 hours induced high levels of progesterone-facilitated receptivity when observed 18 hours after the second estrogen pulse. Various intervals between the second estrogen pulse and the time of testing were also evaluated. Female rats tested at 18, 24 and 36 hours after the second estrogen pulse (plus progesterone) were highly receptive. These results raise new possibilities about the time course of cellular events underlying the estrogen induction of feminine sexual behavior.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)665-667
Number of pages3
JournalPhysiology and Behavior
Volume39
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 1987

Keywords

  • Estradiol pulses
  • Female rat
  • Intervals
  • Sexual behavior

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
  • Behavioral Neuroscience

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