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Possible role of the ventromedial hypothalamus in estrus termination following vaginocervical stimulation of the rat

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Possible role of the ventromedial hypothalamus in estrus termination following vaginocervical stimulation of the rat

Lavoie, Myriam (2000) Possible role of the ventromedial hypothalamus in estrus termination following vaginocervical stimulation of the rat. Masters thesis, Concordia University.

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Abstract

Vaginocervical stimulation (VCS) of the female rat during copulation is known to be the primary stimulus responsible for a decreased duration of the receptivity period called behavioral estrus. Central mechanisms by which VCS accelerates the onset of estrus termination in rats are not completely understood yet. Hence, the present study investigated the role of the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) in estrus termination using sexually experienced ovariectomized female rats. First, females were administered subcutaneous injections of estradiol benzoate and progesterone before being assigned to 4 different treatment groups. The first group received a microinfusion of a Na + channel blocker, tetrodotoxin (TTX), into the VMH an hour before receiving 50 manual VCSs, with a lubricated glass rod distributed over the course of 1h, while the second group received a microinfusion of TTX and sham VCSs. The remaining groups received a microinfusion of saline and their respective VCSs treatment. Each female was then tested for sexual behavior with sexually vigorous males in bilevel testing chambers 12, 16 and 20h after the beginning of the VCS treatment. Compared to females in the other groups, the infusion of TTX to the VMH delayed the decrease of lordosis responsiveness typical of estrus termination but no interaction between drug and stimulation treatments was established.

Divisions:Concordia University > Faculty of Arts and Science > Biology
Item Type:Thesis (Masters)
Authors:Lavoie, Myriam
Pagination:vi, 44 leaves : ill. ; 29 cm.
Institution:Concordia University
Degree Name:M.Sc.
Program:Biology
Date:2000
Thesis Supervisor(s):Pfaus, James G
Identification Number:QP 251 L38 2000
ID Code:1084
Deposited By: Concordia University Library
Deposited On:27 Aug 2009 17:16
Last Modified:13 Jul 2020 19:48
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