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Ventral Tegmental Area Infusions of Inhibitors of the Biosynthesis and Metabolism of 3α,5α‐THP Attenuate Lordosis of Hormone‐Primed and Behavioural Oestrous Rats and Hamsters
Author(s) -
Frye C. A.,
Vongher J. M.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
journal of neuroendocrinology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.062
H-Index - 116
eISSN - 1365-2826
pISSN - 0953-8194
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2826.2001.00731.x
Subject(s) - endocrinology , medicine , neuroactive steroid , ventral tegmental area , finasteride , chemistry , gabaa receptor , receptor , biology , dopamine , prostate , dopaminergic , cancer
The importance of progesterone biosynthesis and metabolism to 5α‐pregnan‐3α‐ol‐20‐one (3α,5α‐THP), which exerts its effects via GABA A/ benzodiazepine receptor complexes (GBRs) rather than intracellular progestin receptors (PRs), was investigated for its effects on sexual receptivity. Epostane, a 3β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase inhibitor, blocks progesterone and 3α,5α‐THP biosynthesis. Finasteride, a 5α‐reductase inhibitor, blocks the metabolism of progesterone to dihydroprogesterone (DHP), which is subsequently metabolized to 3α,5α‐THP. Indomethacin, a 3α‐hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase inhibitor, blocks DHP's metabolism to 3α,5α‐THP, and its oxidation to DHP. Epostane, finasteride, indomethacin or vehicle were infused intracranially in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) of hormone‐primed or naturally receptive rats and hamsters and sexual behaviour was recorded. Epostane, finasteride and indomethacin to the VTA significantly reduced lordosis, compared to vehicle infusions, in hormone‐primed and behavioural oestrous rats and hamsters. Radioimmunoassay revealed that concentrations of midbrain 3α,5α‐THP were reduced following epostane, finasteride or indomethacin infusions that significantly decreased lordosis. Immunocytochemistry for 3α,5α‐THP revealed the number of immunoreactive cells were significantly reduced in the VTA following epostane, finasteride or indomethacin infusion to the VTA, but not other midbrain sites. These data suggest that biosynthesis of progestins, and the metabolism of progesterone to 3α,5α‐THP in the VTA, are important for progestin‐facilitated sexual receptivity of rats and hamsters.