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Cerebral glucose utilization during conditioned sexual arousal.
F H de Jonge1, J A Tonnaer, H van Leeuwe
1Netherlands Institute for Brain Research, Amsterdam.
Physiology & Behavior
|November 1, 1992
Summary
Brain imaging in male rats reveals specific amygdala nuclei are activated during conditioned sexual arousal. This highlights neural differences between seeking and consummating sexual behavior.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral Endocrinology
- Animal Models
Background:
- Sexual behavior involves complex neural circuits.
- Appetitive and consummatory phases of sexual behavior may be differentially regulated.
- The role of the amygdala in motivated behaviors is well-established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate neural correlates of conditioned sexual arousal in male rats.
- To examine local cerebral glucose utilization in specific brain regions during sexual arousal.
- To determine if neural activity patterns differ between appetitive and consummatory sexual behaviors.
Main Methods:
- Local cerebral glucose utilization was measured using [14C]2-deoxyglucose autoradiography in male rats.
- Rats were conditioned to associate a neutral stimulus with exposure to a sexually receptive female.
- Cerebral glucose metabolism was assessed after presentation of the conditioned stimulus.
Main Results:
- Increased glucose utilization was observed in three specific amygdaloid nuclei following conditioned sexual arousal.
- No significant changes in glucose utilization were detected in brain areas critical for consummatory sexual behavior.
- These findings suggest a neural dissociation between appetitive and consummatory sexual behaviors.
Conclusions:
- Specific amygdaloid nuclei play a role in the appetitive, or seeking, phase of sexual behavior.
- The neural substrates for sexual motivation and sexual performance are distinct.
- This study provides further evidence for the neural separation of sexual appetitive and consummatory behaviors.