CATECHOLAMINE MECHANISMS IN THE HORMONAL REGULATION OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOUR

The effects of dorsal noradrenaline bundle (DB) and A10 dopamine (DA) neuron lesions on the sexual behaviour of female rats have been studied. DB lesions impaired the behavioural response to estradiol while that to progesterone was little affected. A10 lesions, particularly if ventro-laterally placed, enhanced the behavioural response to estradiol. The possibility of direct interactions between estradiol and noradrenaline (NA) neurons in the locus coeruleus, and between progesterone and A10 DA neurons in the control of sexual behaviour is discussed.