Sexual Behaviour Flashcards
Removal of male sexual organs.
Castration
Removal of female sexual organs.
Ovariectomy
What is the (general) effect of removing male and female sexual organs?
It impairs sexually motivated behaviours.
How does castration affect the sexual behaviour of males?
Reduction in mounting, intromission and ejaculation is observed.
How can sexual behaviours be reinstated after removal of the sexual organs in both males and females?
Through replacing the sex steroid hormones (progesterone/oestradiol or testosterone) via injection directly into the hypothalamus (mPOA or VMH).
Name the area of the hypothalamus crucial in regulating male sexual behaviour.
The medial preoptic area (mPOA)
What does mPOA stand for?
Medial preoptic area
Name the area of the hypothalamus crucial in regulating female sexual behaviour.
The ventromedial nucleus (VMH)
Which brain region do inputs from the OLFACTORY BULB and the VOMERONASAL ORGAN eventually reach (f)?
The medial amygdala
Where does the medial amygdala send input to (f)?
The ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus
Where does the VMH send input to (f)?
The periaqueductal grey matter of the midbrain.
Where does the PAG of the midbrain send input to (f)?
The reticular formation
VMH lesions result in __________.
Impairs sexual behaviour (lordosis and soliciting behaviour)
Electrical stimulation of the VMH __________.
Facilitates lordosis.
