Abstract
The effects of the neurotoxin 5,7 dihydroxytryptamine (5,7 DHT) on the urethrogenital reflex was examined in anesthetized male rats. Both ICV and intrathecal administration of 5,7 DHT produced a marked depletion (92%) of spinal 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid (5-HT IAA) levels. ICV but not intrathecal administration of 5,7 DHT also caused a moderate reduction in 5-HT and 5-HT IAA levels in the medulla and hypothalamus (40-48%). No reduction in adrenergic levels were observed. In spinally intact, vehicle-treated rats the urethrogenital reflex could not be evoked. However, the urethrogenital reflex could be evoked in rats pretreated with either ICV or intrathecal 5,7 DHT prior to section of the spinal cord. These data support the hypothesis that 5-HT mediates the descending inhibition of male sexual reflexes.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 883-888 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior |
| Volume | 47 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Apr 1994 |
Funding
The authors would like to thank Dr. Jon Levine for the use of his HPLC supported by HD 28048 and Marsha List for excellent technical support. This work was supported by NIH grant numbers NS29420 awarded to Lesley Marson and NS17489 awarded to Kevin E. McKenna.
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Biological Psychiatry
- Biochemistry
- Behavioral Neuroscience
- Clinical Biochemistry
- Toxicology
- Pharmacology