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Kisspeptin in the medial amygdala and sexual behavior in male rats
Rebecca Gresham1, Shengyun Li1, Daniel A Adekunbi1
1Division of Women's Health, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, Guy's Campus, SE1 1UL, UK.
Abstract:
The medial amygdala (MeA) is crucial for sexual behavior; kisspeptin (Kiss1) also plays a role in sexual function. Kisspeptin receptor (Kiss1r) knockout mice display no sexual behavior. Recently Kiss1 and Kiss1r have been discovered in the posterodorsal subnucleus of the medial amygdala (MePD). We hypothesised that Kiss1 in the MePD may have an influence on male sexual behavior. To test this we bilaterally cannulated the MePD and infused kisspeptin-10 in male rats. This caused the rats to have multiple erections, an effect specific to Kiss1 receptor activation, because Kiss1r antagonism blocked the erectile response. When Kiss1 was infused into the lateral cerebroventricle, there were no observed erections. We also measured the plasma levels of LH when Kiss1 is infused into the MePD or lateral cerebroventricle; Kiss1 increased plasma LH to comparable levels when infused into both sites. We conclude that Kiss1 has a role in male sexual behavior, which is specific to the MePD.
Insights
Kisspeptin (Kiss1) in the medial amygdala
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Reproductive Biology
- Behavioral Endocrinology
Background:
- The medial amygdala (MeA) is a key brain region for regulating sexual behavior.
- Kisspeptin (Kiss1) and its receptor (Kiss1r) are known to be involved in sexual function.
- Kiss1 and Kiss1r have been identified in the posterodorsal medial amygdala (MePD).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of Kisspeptin (Kiss1) within the posterodorsal medial amygdala (MePD) in male sexual behavior.
- To determine if Kisspeptin (Kiss1) signaling in the MePD specifically influences male sexual responses, such as erections.
- To examine the effect of Kisspeptin (Kiss1) infusion in the MePD on luteinizing hormone (LH) release.
Main Methods:
- Bilateral cannulation of the posterodorsal medial amygdala (MePD) in male rats.
- Infusion of kisspeptin-10 (Kiss1) or a Kiss1 receptor antagonist into the MePD.
- Infusion of Kiss1 into the lateral cerebroventricle (LCV) as a control.
- Monitoring of sexual behavior (e.g., erections) and measurement of plasma luteinizing hormone (LH) levels.
Main Results:
- Intra-MePD infusion of kisspeptin-10 (Kiss1) induced multiple erections in male rats.
- This erectile response was blocked by Kiss1 receptor antagonism, confirming Kiss1 specificity.
- Kiss1 infusion into the lateral cerebroventricle (LCV) did not elicit erections.
- Kiss1 infusion into both the MePD and LCV increased plasma LH levels comparably.
Conclusions:
- Kisspeptin (Kiss1) signaling within the posterodorsal medial amygdala (MePD) plays a specific role in mediating male sexual behavior, particularly erectile responses.
- The MePD is a critical site for Kiss1's pro-sexual effects in males.
- While Kiss1 in the MePD influences sexual behavior, its effect on LH release is not exclusive to this nucleus.
