Serotonin antagonist pirenperone inhibits sexual behavior in the male rat: Attenuation by quipazine

Abstract

Peripheral administration of the serotonin (5-HT) antagonist pirenperone produced a dose dependent inhibition of sexual behavior in sexually naive and experienced male rats. In Experiment 1, both 75 μg/kg and 150 μg/kg pirenperone significantly reduced the proportion of naive males mounting, while 150 μg/kg also reduced the proportion of naive males intromitting and ejaculating. In Experiment 2, both 75 μg/kg and 150 μg/kg pirenperone significantly increased mount and intromission latencies in sexually experienced males, as well as decreased intromission frequency, with 150 μg/kg more potent in each regard. The 150 μg/kg dose also increased the post-ejaculatory interval, and decreased both mount frequency and copulatory efficiency. In Experiment 3, both 150 μg/kg pirenphrine and 3 mg/kg of the 5-HT agonist quipazine produced significant inhibition of male sexual behavior; however, when co-administered, inhibitory effects of each drug were significantly attenuated. The mutual attenuation of effects by a 5-HT agonist and a 5-HT antagonist suggests that the observed effects of both of these drugs were serotonergically mediated. In the final experiment, the 5-HT antagonist ketanserin was shown to inhibit sexual behavior in a manner similar to that of pirenperone. Results suggest a facilitatory, as well as an inhibitory role for 5-HT in male sexual behavior.