Lesions of the nucleus paragigantocellularis alter ex copula penile reflexes

The effects of electrolytic lesions of the rostral nucleus paragigantocellularis (nPGi) were examined on ex copula sexual reflexes in male rats. Bilateral lesions of the nPGi significantly reduced (by 50%) the onset of the first ex copula reflex, which usually was a glans erection. In addition, the number of dorsiflexions (flips) was significantly increased. In the anesthetized spinally intact rat the urethrogenital reflex cannot be evoked. However, after chronic bilateral lesions of the rostral nPGi, half of the rats tested displayed the urethrogenital reflex prior to section of the spinal cord. These data support a role for the rostral nPGi in the descending inhibition of male sexual reflexes.