The induction of heterotypical sexual behavior in the rat

This work has shown that after destruction of the lateral septum plus exposure to estrogen or a hypothyroid condition, the adult male regains his inherent potential to exhibit lordosis behavior and may contribute to the understanding of behavioral differences.

Abstract

(1) In the laboratory rat, the behavioral responsiveness of the brain to hormones is sexually dimorphic. An important factor in that dimorphism is the exposure of the developing brain, perhaps both pre- and post-natally, to gonadal steroids. (2) Androgen and/or estrogen suppress lordosis behavior in both sexes and appear to potentiate masculine behavior in the female and presumably the male. (3) To the extent that sexual behavior in the human is dependent on gonadal hormone activation, the hormonal milieu during development would be expected to modify adult behavior. (4) The view that the adult brain is in a static state is challenged by lesion studies. After destruction of the lateral septum plus exposure to estrogen or a hypothyroid condition, the adult male regains his inherent potential to exhibit lordosis behavior. (5) Further study of this adult model of behavior organization may contribute to our understanding of behavioral differences.