Abstract
The medial amygdala (MeA) is crucial for sexual behavior; kisspeptin (Kiss1) also plays a role in sexual function. Kisspeptin receptor (Kiss1r) knockout mice display no sexual behavior. Recently Kiss1 and Kiss1r have been discovered in the posterodorsal subnucleus of the medial amygdala (MePD). We hypothesised that Kiss1 in the MePD may have an influence on male sexual behavior. To test this we bilaterally cannulated the MePD and infused kisspeptin-10 in male rats. This caused the rats to have multiple erections, an effect specific to Kiss1 receptor activation, because Kiss1r antagonism blocked the erectile response. When Kiss1 was infused into the lateral cerebroventricle, there were no observed erections. We also measured the plasma levels of LH when Kiss1 is infused into the MePD or lateral cerebroventricle; Kiss1 increased plasma LH to comparable levels when infused into both sites. We conclude that Kiss1 has a role in male sexual behavior, which is specific to the MePD.
Highlights
The medial amygdala (MeA) is a key brain region in sexual behavior
Chemosignals from estrous females stimulate non-contact erections (NCE) and MeA lesions prevent these erections in male rats [3]
Androgen receptors are found in the MeA, and testosterone or dihydrotestosterone are required for NCE stimulated by an estrous female [5] and blocking of androgen receptors in the MeA prevents NCE [6]
Summary
The medial amygdala (MeA) is a key brain region in sexual behavior. Lesions of the MeA suppress sexual behavior [1] and the extent of lesion correlates with the decrease in sexual behavior [2]. Chemosignals from estrous females stimulate non-contact erections (NCE) and MeA lesions prevent these erections in male rats [3]. Chemosignals from estrous females activate the MeA in male hamsters, as seen by Fos expression [4]. Administration of androgens directly into the posterodorsal subnucleus of the medial amygdala (MePD) does not cause spontaneous erection, without the presence of an estrous female [7] the MePD may be responsible for causing erections when activated by olfactory cues or chemosignals. Impairment in erectile competence as a result of MeA lesion for NCE is suggestive of the importance of the MeA on erectile function [3]. Ex-copula erections, those that occur without an olfactory stimulus, or NCE have been described as analogous to human psychogenic erections caused by erotica [8]
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