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Engaging in paced mating, but neither exploratory, anti-anxiety, nor social behavior, increases 5-reduced progestin concentrations in midbrain, hippocampus, striatum, and cortex

¹ Department of Psychology, ² Biological Sciences, ³ Centers for Life Sciences and ⁴ Neuroscience Research, The University at Albany-SUNY, Albany, New York, USA

Correspondence should be addressed to C A Frye; Email: cafrye{at}albany.edu

Sequential actions of 17ß-estradiol (E₂) and progesterone (P₄) in the hypothalamus and the P₄ metabolite, 5-pregnan-3-ol-20-one (3,5-THP), in the midbrain ventral tegmental area (VTA) respectively mediate the initiation and intensity of lordosis of female rats and mayalso modulate anxietyand social behaviors, through actions in these, and/or other brain regions. Biosynthesis of E₂, P₄, and 3,5-THP can also occur in brain, independent of peripheral gland secretion, in response to environmental/behavioral stimuli. The extent to which engaging in tasks related to reproductive behaviors and/or mating increased E₂ or progestin concentrations in brain was investigated. In Experiment 1, proestrous rats were randomly assigned to be tested in individual tasks, including the open field, elevated plus maze, partner preference, social interaction, or no test control, in conjunction with paced mating or no mating. Engaging in paced mating, but not other behaviors, significantly increased dihydroprogesterone (DHP) and 3,5-THP levels in midbrain, hippocampus, striatum, and cortex. In Experiment 2, proestrous rats were tested in the combinations of the above tasks (open field and elevated plus maze, partner preference, and social interaction) with or without paced mating. As in Experiment 1, only engaging in paced mating increased DHPand 3,5-THP concentrations in midbrain, hippocampus, striatum, and cortex. Thus, paced mating enhances concentrations of 5-reduced progestins in brain areas associated with reproduction (midbrain), as well as exploration/anxiety (hippocampus and striatum) and social behavior (cortex).

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