Reproductive functions illustrating direct and indirect effects of genes on behavior

Effects of gene products on reproductive behavior which are relatively direct include those of the estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor. For example, work with estrogen receptor-deficient (ERKO) female mice has extended previous evidence contributing to the neurochemical analysis of lordosis behavior. On the other hand, sex differences in behavior present a classic example of indirect effects of genes on behavior. Work with ERKO male mice shows the necessity of ER gene expression for normal masculinization of the brain. In particular, behavioral assay results distinguish apparent motivational performance of ERKO males from male mating reflexes: the former is similar to that of wild-type males in important respects, while the latter are deficient in ERKO males. The present paper first reviews a small number of clear genetic contributions to reproductive behaviors, and then reports one experiment pertinent to the interpretation of the behavioral status of ERKO male mice.