STIMULATION OF THE MEDIAL PREOPTIC AREA OF THE HYPOTHALAMUS IN THE RAT ELICITS INCREASES IN INTRACAVERNOUS PRESSURE

Penile erection can be elicited by various stimuli integrated in the s pinal cord and/or higher central nervous structures. The medial preopt ic area (MPOA) of the hypothalamus is known to play a key role in the regulation of male sexual behavior. In anesthetized male rats we perfo rmed MPOA stimulation via stereotaxically implanted electrodes or canu lae delivering L-glutamate. An erectile response, assessed by an incre ase of intracavernous pressure (ICP), was recorded during electrical s timulation of the MPOA. Stimulating the posterior region of the MPOA e licited a greater erectile response than stimulation applied to the an terior region. Microinjections of L-glutamate also elicited an ICP inc rease. Stimulation of MPOA neurons therefore elicits activation of neu ral pathways controlling penile erection.