PELVIC NEURECTOMY BLOCKS OXYTOCIN-FACILITATED SEXUAL RECEPTIVITY IN RATS

The effect of bilateral pelvic, hypogastric, or pudendal neurectomy on oxytocin-induced facilitation of lordosis behavior was examined in ov ariectomized, estrogen, and progesterone primed female rats. Oxytocin- induced facilitation of lordosis behavior was significantly decreased following bilateral pelvic, or combined bilateral pelvic and hypogastr ic neurectomy. Hypogastric only or pudendal only neurectomy had no eff ect on the facilitation of lordosis behavior after systemic administra tion of oxytocin. These results suggest that the integrity of the pelv ic nerve is necessary and sufficient to mediate the stimulatory effect s of systemically administered oxytocin on receptivity.