Neuroscience 2002 Abstract
| Presentation Number: | 289.3 |
|---|---|
| Abstract Title: | Dopamine in the Nucleus Accumbens increases before and after sexual contacts. |
| Authors: |
Jenkins, W. J.*1,2
; Becker, J. B.1,2,3
1Dept Psychol, Univ Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 2Reproductive Sciences Program, Univ Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 3Neuroscience Program, Univ Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI |
| Primary Theme and Topics |
Cognition and Behavior - Behavioral Pharmacology -- Monoamines and behavior |
| Secondary Theme and Topics | Synaptic Transmission and Excitability<br />- Neurotransmitters<br />-- Catecholamines |
| Session: |
289. Behavioral pharmacology: monoamines and behavior I Poster |
| Presentation Time: | Monday, November 4, 2002 10:00 AM-11:00 AM |
| Location: | Hall A2-B3 S-13 |
| Keywords: | Pacing behavior, Nucleus Accumbens, Dopamine, in vivo microdialysis |
Female rats pace the rate of copulation, which triggers a neuroendocrine reflex necessary for pregnancy (Erskine, 1989, Horm & Beh (23) 473-502; Adler, 1969, JCPP (69) 613-22). Female rats that are pacing their sexual behavior have increased extracellular dopamine (DA) concentrations in both striatum and nucleus accumbens (NAcc) compared to females who are engaged in nonpaced sexual behavior (Mermelstein & Becker, 1995, Behav Neurosci (109) 354-65). In experiments in which the male is removed for the female at her preferred pacing interval (PPI) during copulation, DA in the NAcc increases as it does in animals engaging in paced sex (Becker et al., 2001, J Neurosci (21) 3236-41). Both paced sex, and sex at the female's PPI, are sufficient to induce a conditioned place preference in the female rat (Jenkins & Becker, 2001, SFN Abstr), suggesting that sex associated with increases in extracellular DA concentrations has reinforcing value for the female. The relationship between DA and reward remains controversial. Therefore, an in vivo microdialysis study was conducted in which DA was sampled from the NAcc at one-minute intervals while female rats had sex at their PPI. Samples were analyzed using HPLC-EC and DA concentrations were expressed as percent baseline. The time intervals immediately preceding, during and following either intromissions or ejaculations were compared. DA in dialysate before and after contacts was approximately 50% greater than DA during the intervals when the sexual interactions occurred. This provides further evidence that DA signals reinforcing stimuli rather than encoding hedonic value directly.
Supported by NSF IBN 9816673
Sample Citation:
[Authors]. [Abstract Title]. Program No. XXX.XX. 2002 Neuroscience Meeting Planner. Orlando, FL: Society for Neuroscience, 2002. Online.
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