Download The Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase Pathway may Mediate

Journal of Behavioral and Neuroscience Research
2007, Vol. 5 (NEURON Special Issue), 90
© 2007 The College of Saint Rose
POSTER ABSTRACT
The Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase Pathway may
Mediate Progesterone-Facilitated Lordosis in the
Midbrain Ventral Tegmental Area
J. L. Vanderslice-Barr, A. A. Walf, & C. A. Frye
University at Albany-SUNY
Progesterone
and
its
metabolite,
5alpha-pregnan-3alpha-ol-20-one
(3alpha,5alpha-THP), have actions in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) to
regulate sexual behavior of female rodents. In the VTA, where intracellular
progestin receptors are virtually nonexistent, progestins may have actions via
second messenger pathways, such the mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK)
pathway. The effects of bilateral infusions to the VTA of the MAPK antagonist,
PD98059 (3 ug/ul), for lordosis of estrogen (10 ug)- and progesterone (0, 100, or
250 ug)- primed, ovariectomized rats were investigated. If MAPK in the VTA is
required for progesterone-facilitated effects to increase lordosis, then
administration of PD98059 to the VTA should attenuate P-facilitated lordosis.
Compared to vehicle, PD98059 to the VTA, but not missed sites, attenuated Pfacilitated lordosis, reduced lordosis ratings and proceptivity quotients and
increased aggressive quotients of E2– and P-primed rats. Thus, these data suggest
that MAPK in the VTA may be important for the effects of progestins to increase
sexual receptivity of female rodents.
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