BETA-ADRENERGIC MODULATION OF MALE SEXUAL-BEHAVIOR ELICITED FROM THE MEDIAL PREOPTIC AREA IN RATS

This study was aimed at investigating the role of the adrenergic mecha nism in the medial preoptic area (mPOA) in sexual arousal and copulato ry performance. Saline, norepinephrine (NE), phenoxybenzamine (PBZ) an d propranolol (PROP) were injected into the mPOA in different groups o f rats. NE application (3 mu g) facilitated the male sexual behavior b y increasing sexual arousal and copulatory performance. On the other h and, application of PROP and PBZ produced inhibition of male sexual be havior. Effects produced by low doses of PROP were more significant th an PBZ. The results, viewed in the light of other available reports, s uggest that the mPOA beta-adrenergic mechanism is important in the ela boration of male sexual behavior.