Microinjection of the preferential dopamine receptor D 3 agonist 7-hydroxy-N,N-di-n-propylaminotetralin hydrobromide into the hypothalamic medial preoptic area induced ejaculation in anesthetized rats

Abstract

The pivotal role of the medial preoptic area (MPOA) of the hypothalamus in the dopaminergic cerebral control of ejaculation has been investigated for years; nevertheless the function of different dopamine receptors subclasses and their exact interrelations merit additional research. One hundred nanograms of a preferential D 3 agonist 7-OH-DPAT (7-hydroxy-N,N-di-n-propylaminotetralin hydrobromide) was microinjected unilaterally into the MPOA of male rats anesthetized with urethane. An ejaculation-related response (bulbospongiosus muscles rhythmic contractions and/or seminal vesicle pressure increases and/or expulsion of a semen plug) was observed in 8 of 10 rats devoid of sexual stimuli, while a similar response was observed in only one rat administered with 10 ng of 7-OH-DPAT. The effect of 7-OH-DPAT 100 ng was mostly abolished by simultaneous MPOA microinjection of 300 ng of a preferential D 3 antagonist N-[(n-butyl-2-pyrrolidinyl) methyl]-1-methoxy-4-cyanonaphthalene-2-carboxamide tartrate (nafadotride). Our results support the hypothesis that supraspinal command of ejaculation is mediated by D 2-like receptors, probably by D 3 receptors, in the MPOA, and draw attention to the idea of these receptors serving as a promising target for pharmacological treatment of human ejaculatory disorders.