Neural control of male-like pseudocopulatory behavior in the all-female lizard, Cnemidophorus uniparens: effects of intracranial implantation of dihydrotestosterone

Horm Behav. 1987 Jun;21(2):181-92. doi: 10.1016/0018-506x(87)90043-2.

Abstract

Dihydrotestosterone was implanted directly into the brain of ovariectomized all-female Cnemidophorus uniparens. Only implants located in the anterior hypothalamus-preoptic area (AH-POA) induced male-like pseudocopulatory behavior. Implants in other brain regions, including the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH), failed to elicit mounting and intromission behavior. Implants in the VMH also failed to elicit female-like receptive behavior. Radioimmunoassay revealed no significant difference in circulating levels of androgen between the responding and the nonresponding animals. These findings support previous studies implicating the AH-POA as the major integrative area for male-typical mounting and intromission behavior.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain / drug effects*
  • Copulation / drug effects*
  • Dihydrotestosterone / pharmacology*
  • Female
  • Hypothalamus, Anterior / drug effects
  • Hypothalamus, Middle / drug effects
  • Lizards / physiology*
  • Preoptic Area / drug effects

Substances

  • Dihydrotestosterone