PARGYLINE-INDUCED INCREASE IN SEROTONIN LEVELS - CORRELATION WITH INHIBITION OF LORDOSIS IN RATS

The effect of intrahypothalamic infusion of the monoamine oxidase inhi bitor pargyline on lordosis behavior and monoamine levels in the preop tic area and hypothalamus was examined. Progesterone-facilitated lordo sis was blocked by pargyline in half the treated rats. The inhibition of lordosis was correlated with increases in serotonin and dopamine le vels in the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus and serotonin lev els in the arcuate nucleus-median eminence when compared to controls o r pargyline-treated rats with high levels of lordosis responding. Chan ges in norepinephrine levels were not correlated with changes in behav ior. The results provide further evidence for an inhibitory role of ba somedial hypothalamic serotonin in the control of female sexual behavi or.