[Effect of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone on the sexual behavior of female rats]

Sexual behaviour was tested in female rats with ovariectomy treated with various sexual hormones and healthy male rats with sexual experience. There was a marked suppression of receptive behaviour in rats with ovariectomy but the proceptive one was preserved. A marked growth of lordosis, achieving the level of that in intact rats in estrus is observed after the administration of estradiol propionate (10 micrograms) and progesterone (500 micrograms). A single subcutaneous administration of testosterone dipropionate (100 micrograms) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) with DHT-propionate (10 micrograms) to ovariectomized rats did not stimulate lordosis but preserved a high level of proceptive behaviour. Disconnections in the character of proceptive and mating behaviour show that different mechanisms are in the base of their regulation. No difference was noted in the effect of testosterone and DHT on sexual behaviour. The administration of DHT induced certain aggressiveness in the animals. No dynamics was observed in the character of the studied indicators for 3 days. The lack of differences in testosterone and DHT action on sexual behaviour of female rats shows that intracerebral aromatization is not obligatory for the manifestation of the effect.