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Differences in Sexual Behaviour in Male and Female Rodents: Role of Serotonin

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Biological Basis of Sex Differences in Psychopharmacology

Part of the book series: Current Topics in Behavioral Neurosciences ((CTBN,volume 8))

Abstract

Serotonin plays an important role in both male and female sexual behaviour. In general, reduction of 5-HT function facilitates, whereas enhancement inhibits sexual behaviour. Most fundamental research on the involvement of 5-HT in sex has been performed in rats. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have comparable effects on male and female sexual behaviour in rats; they inhibit it but only after chronic administration. Activation of the 5-HT1A receptor facilitates sexual behaviour in male rats but inhibits sexual behaviour in female rats, suggesting a differential role for 5-HT1A receptors in male and female rats. Research on sexual behaviour in rats with null mutations in the serotonin transporter (SERT) indicated also a differential role for 5-HT1A receptors in male and female sexual behaviour. Evidence exists that different pools of 5-HT1A receptors have differential roles in various parts of the cascade of sexual events occurring during sexual interactions. Roles for other 5-HT receptors are less well defined although 5-HT1B, 5-HT2A/B and 5-HT7 receptors seem to be involved. Identification of putative differential or comparable roles in female and male sexual activities requires more research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences and Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, Utrecht University, Sorbonnelaan 16, 3584, CA, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    Berend Olivier, Johnny S. W. Chan, Eelke M. Snoeren, Jan G. Veening, Christiaan H. Vinkers, Marcel D. Waldinger & Ronald S. Oosting

  2. Division of Psychiatry Dept. Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, KFC Novum Level 6, Exp 617 Lab 614, SE - 14157, Huddinge, Sweden

    Jocelien D. A. Olivier

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  1. Berend Olivier
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  2. Johnny S. W. Chan
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  3. Eelke M. Snoeren
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  4. Jocelien D. A. Olivier
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  5. Jan G. Veening
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  6. Christiaan H. Vinkers
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  7. Marcel D. Waldinger
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  8. Ronald S. Oosting
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Bradford School of Pharmacy, University Bradford, Bradford, W.Yorkshire, BD7 1DP, United Kingdom

    Jo C. Neill

  2. Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre, Commercial Rd., Melbourne, 3004, Australia

    Jayashri Kulkarni

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Olivier, B. et al. (2010). Differences in Sexual Behaviour in Male and Female Rodents: Role of Serotonin. In: Neill, J., Kulkarni, J. (eds) Biological Basis of Sex Differences in Psychopharmacology. Current Topics in Behavioral Neurosciences, vol 8. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/7854_2010_116

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