Spinal monoaminergic modulation of masculine copulatory behavior in the rat

Abstract

The sexual behavior of male rats receiving infusions of 5-HT, dopamine and noradrenaline intrathecally in the spinal cord of intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) in the lateral ventricle was observed. Intrathecal infusions of 5-HT and noradrenaline inhibited penile insertions and ejaculation, noradrenaline being the more potent of the amines. Dopamine was without effect. I.c.v. amine infusions impaired to various extents the masculine mating pattern, primarily by interfering with the males' tendency to approach the females. The facilitation of mating seen after intrathecal administration of the aminotetraline, 8-OH-DPAT, was more pronounced than that observed following its i.c.v. infusion.