ERalpha, but not ERbeta, mediates the expression of sexual behavior in the female rat

Abstract

Estrogen has well known effects on sexual behavior, however the role of the estrogen receptors (ER) alpha and beta on sexual behavior remains to be fully determined. This study investigated the individual and co-operative involvement of ERalpha and beta on sexual behaviors in the adult female rat. Subtype selective ER agonists, propyl-pyrazole triol (PPT; ERalpha agonist) and diarylpropionitrile (DPN; ERbeta agonist) were utilized to examine each receptor subtype's contribution, individual and co-operative, for both receptive (lordosis) and proceptive (hopping/darting, 'ear wiggling') female sexual behaviors. Ovariectomized female rats received subcutaneous injections of either: sesame oil (OIL), dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), estradiol benzoate (EB; 10 microg/0.1 ml OIL), one of three doses of the ERalpha agonist PPT (1.25mg, 2.5mg or 5.0mg/0.1 ml DMSO), one of three doses of the ERbeta agonist DPN (1.25mg, 2.5mg or 5.0mg/0.1 ml DMSO) or a combination dose of PPT and DPN (2.5mg PPT+2.5mg DPN/0.1 ml DMSO) for two consecutive days, 48 and 24h prior to testing followed by a progesterone injection (500 microg/0.1 ml OIL) 4h prior to testing in order to elicit sexual behavior. The ERalpha agonist PPT, but not the ERbeta agonist DPN, elicited both proceptive and receptive behavior. PPT at doses of 2.5 and 5.0mg significantly elicited lordosis and proceptive behavior ('ear wiggling', hopping and darting). Intriguingly, the administration of both agonists together at the 2.5mg dose resulted in reduced levels of proceptivity and receptivity, suggesting that ERbeta modulates ERalpha's ability to elicit receptive and proceptive sexual behavior.