Sexual behavior of male and female septal lesioned rats

Abstract

Gonadectomized male and female rats were given septal lesions (SL) or sham surgery at approximately 60 days of age. After 3 weeks lordosis behavior tests were initiated. Females were tested after daily injections of 2 μg estradiol benzoate (EB) for 3 days, while males were tested after EB only (2 μg×3 days), and after EB plus progesterone (Prog). The mean lordosis quotients (LQ) of septal lesioned female rats were significantly higher than those of sham operated controls. No increase in lordosis responding was seen in male rats with either EB alone or EB+Prog. Following an additional 3 week interval without steroid treatment masculine behavior tests began. All animals received a pretest and were tested again on Day 4, 7, 11 and 15 daily tesosterone propionate (150 μg/day) treatment. No alterations in masculine sexual behavior (relative to that of controls) were found in either male or female septal lesioned rats. It is concluded that the increased hormone sensitivity is specific for lordosis behavior, at least when the SL are given in adulthood.