Abstract
Studies have shown that the medial preoptic area (MPOA) is necessary for male sexual behavior in many species. Sparing of function occurs in rats which have MPOA-lesions made prepuberally and are reared in heterosexual group cages. In the present study, male rats with MPOA-lesions made prepuberally and control-operated animals were reared either in group or solitary cages. In three regular mating tests few MPOA-animals reared in isolation displayed sexual behavior, while those reared in groups performed no differently from control animals. Animals with MPOA-lesions that mated exhibited the same frequency and developmental progression of play behaviors as their control peers. In sexual exhaustion and postcastration tests, group-reared MPOA-animals performed at a lower level than control animals. The results are compatible with the hypothesis that play experiences have a role in sparing of copulatory behavior in rats with MPOA-lesions. Deficits in the MPOA-animals in the more challenging tests were discussed in relation to a possible decrease in responsiveness to gonadal or hypothalamic hormones.
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