Cycloheximide activation of the lordotic response in low-dose, estrogen-treated ovariectomized rats: evidence for modulating inhibitory influences of the limbic system on sexual behavior

Abstract

This study tested the effect of intracranially injected cycloheximide (CHX), an inhibitor of protein synthesis, on facilitation of sexual receptivity in ovariectomized rats. The rats received 0.5 μg estradiol benzoate (EB), s.c., once daily on days 8 through 12 after ovariectomy (OVX). Either CHX (in 0.5 μl saline) or 0.5 μl saline was injected into the lateral septum (LS), cortical nucleus (ACO) or medial nucleus of the amygdala or medial preoptic area on day 11 after OVX. The dose of EB was insufficient to facilitate lordotic behavior on day 10 or day 12 after OVX unless CHX was injected into the LS or ACO. Injection of saline did not influence lordosis.