EFFECT OF PERINATAL VITAMIN-A OR RETINOIC ACID TREATMENT (HORMONAL IMPRINTING) ON THE SEXUAL-BEHAVIOR OF ADULT-RATS

Single neonatal treatment with vitamin A (retinol) dramatically reduce d the sexual activity of adult male rats, In females there was a signi ficant decrease in the Meyerson index and a non significant decrease i n the lordosis quotient. The effect of three perinatal treatments (at the first, third and fifth day) with all-trans retinoic acid was much weaker, causing only a significant increase in the time of the first e jaculation in males and nonsignificant decrease in the lordosis quotie nt of females. The experiments call attention to the false imprinting provoking effect of materials acting on members of the steroid recepto r superfamily with possible human health aspect.