The role of the adrenoceptors in the activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular complex of mice induced by the presence of a female

A study was made of the role of the adrenergic processes in the activation of the testes endocrine function in male mice of CBA/Lac and A/He strains after their sexual arousal induced by the presence of a sexually receptive female without any tactile contact with a male. The α-adrenoceptor blocker phentolamine and the α 1 -adrenoceptor antagonist prazosin inhibited an increase of testosterone level in the peripheral blood plasma caused by the presence of a female. In contrast, antagonist of the β-adrenoceptor propanolol and β 2 -adrenoceptor blocker ICI-118.551 significantly intensified the stimulating effect of the female presence on plasma testosterone level