Sexual behavior increases c-fos expression in the forebrain of the male rat
Abstract
The ability of a wide variety of pharmacological and physiological stimuli to increase neuronal expression of Fos has led to the suggestion that it might serve as a marker of neuronal activation. Psychomotor stimulants increase the release of dopamine from the terminals of nigrostriatal and mesolimbic neurons and enhance Fos immunoreactivity in the striatum and nucleus accumbens (NAc). Because sexual behavior also increases dopamine release in these and other forebrain regions, the present study examined the effect of copulation on Fos immunoreactivity in the forebrain of intact, sexually active male rats. Sexual behavior produced a striking increase in Fos immunoreactivity in the medial preoptic area (MPOA), NAc, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis and piriform cortex. However, no increase in Fos immunoreactivity was observed in the striatum. These results are consistent with neurochemical, physiological, and behavioral data suggesting that the MPOA and NAc are important substrates of sexual behavior.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Claims the paper makes
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
In male rats, hamsters, and gerbils, sexual behavior is associated with elevated Fos expression within the MPOA.
“In male rats (Robertson et al., 1991), hamsters (Kollack-Walker and Newman, 1997), and gerbils (Heeb and Yahr, 1996), sexual behavior is associated with elevated Fos expression within this nucleus.”
From Central oxytocin receptors mediate mating-induced partner preferences and enhance correlated activation across forebrain nuclei in male prairie voles (2016) · cites this paper as Robertson et al., 1991
Cites
The rat brain in stereotaxic coordinates
Palkovits, M. (1983) · Neuropeptides · doi:10.1016/0143-4179(83)90049-5 · Cited by 28,959 · see citing works
The Rat Brain in Stereotaxic Coordinates
Paxinos, G., & Watson, C. (1983) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/c2009-0-63235-9 · Cited by 28,585 · see citing works
The Physiology of Reproduction
Blandau, R. J. (1988) · JAMA · doi:10.1001/jama.1988.03410200127050 · Cited by 3,000 · see citing works
Induction of c-fos-like protein in spinal cord neurons following sensory stimulation
Hunt, S. P., Pini, A., & Evan, G. I. (1987) · Nature · doi:10.1038/328632a0 · Cited by 1,986 · see citing works
Expression of c- <i>fos</i> Protein in Brain: Metabolic Mapping at the Cellular Level
Sagar, S. M., Sharp, F. R., & Curran, T. (1988) · Science · doi:10.1126/science.3131879 · Cited by 1,925 · see citing works
Mapping Patterns of c- fos Expression in the Central Nervous System After Seizure
Morgan, J. I., Cohén, D., Hempstead, J. L., & Curran, T. (1987) · Science · doi:10.1126/science.3037702 · Cited by 1,778 · see citing works
The glucose oxidase-DAB-nickel method in peroxidase histochemistry of the nervous system
Shu, S., Ju, G., & Fan, L. (1988) · Neuroscience Letters · doi:10.1016/0304-3940(88)90346-1 · Cited by 1,235 · see citing works
Stimulus-transcription coupling in neurons: role of cellular immediate-early genes
Morgan, J. I., & Curran, T. (1989) · Trends in Neurosciences · doi:10.1016/0166-2236(89)90096-9 · Cited by 969 · see citing works
Graybiel, A. M., Moratalla, R., & Robertson, H. A. (1990) · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · doi:10.1073/pnas.87.17.6912 · Cited by 957 · see citing works
Everitt, B. J. (1990) · Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews · doi:10.1016/s0149-7634(05)80222-2 · Cited by 650 · see citing works
Kindling stimulation induces c-fos protein(s) in granule cells of the rat dentate gyrus
Dragunow, M., & Robertson, H. A. (1987) · Nature · doi:10.1038/329441a0 · Cited by 576 · see citing works
Light Pulses that Shift Rhythms Induce Gene Expressions in the Suprachiasmatic Nucleus
Rusak, B., Robertson, H. A., Wisden, W., & Hunt, S. P. (1990) · Science · doi:10.1126/science.2112267 · Cited by 548 · see citing works
Expression of c-Fos immunoreactivity in transmitter-characterized neurons after stress.
Ceccatelli, S., Villar, M. J., Goldstein, M., & Hökfelt, T. (1989) · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · doi:10.1073/pnas.86.23.9569 · Cited by 536 · see citing works
The Mesolimbic Dopamine System: From Motivation to Action
Phillipson, O. T. (1992) · Trends in Neurosciences · doi:10.1016/0166-2236(92)90348-c · Cited by 518 · see citing works
Cocaine induces striatal c-fos-immunoreactive proteins via dopaminergic D1 receptors.
Young, S., Porrino, L. J., & Iadarola, M. J. (1991) · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · doi:10.1073/pnas.88.4.1291 · Cited by 497 · see citing works
Limbic-striatal interactions in reward-related processes
Robbins, T. W., Cador, M., Taylor, J. R., & Everitt, B. J. (1989) · Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews · doi:10.1016/s0149-7634(89)80025-9 · Cited by 458 · see citing works
Sexual behavior enhances central dopamine transmission in the male rat
Pfaus, J. G., Damsma, G., Nomikos, G. G., Wenkstern, D. G., Blaha, C. D., Phillips, A. G., & Fibiger, H. C. (1990) · Brain Research · doi:10.1016/0006-8993(90)91309-5 · Cited by 438 · see citing works
Self-citationActivation of the Male Rat's Sexual Behavior by Intracerebral Implantation of Androgen
Davidson, J. M. (1966) · Endocrinology · doi:10.1210/endo-79-4-783 · Cited by 340 · see citing works
Role of dopamine in anticipatory and consummatory aspects of sexual behavior in the male rat.
Pfaus, J. G., & Phillips, A. G. (1991) · Behavioral Neuroscience · doi:10.1037//0735-7044.105.5.727 · Cited by 320 · see citing works
Self-citationRole of dopamine in anticipatory and consummatory aspects of sexual behavior in the male rat
Pfaus, J. G., & Phillips, A. G. (1991) · Behavioral Neuroscience · doi:10.1037/0735-7044.105.5.727 · Cited by 320 · see citing works
Self-citationGraham, J. M., & Desjardins, C. (1980) · Science · doi:10.1126/science.7434016 · Cited by 268 · see citing works
Robertson, H. A., Peterson, M. R., Murphy, K., & Robertson, G. S. (1989) · Brain Research · doi:10.1016/0006-8993(89)91689-2 · Cited by 266 · see citing works
Self-citationDopaminergic control of male sex behavior in rats: Effects of an intracerebrally-infused agonist
Hull, E. M., Bitran, D., Pehek, E. A., Warner, R. K., Band, L. C., & Holmes, G. M. (1986) · Brain Research · doi:10.1016/0006-8993(86)91106-6 · Cited by 211 · see citing works
Olfactory and hormonal influences on the basal forebrain of the male rat
Pfaff, D. W., & Pfaffmann, C. (1969) · Brain Research · doi:10.1016/0006-8993(69)90315-1 · Cited by 183 · see citing works
Sar, M., & Stumpf, W. E. (1973) · Endocrinology · doi:10.1210/endo-92-1-251 · Cited by 158 · see citing works
Light induces a Fos0like nuclear antigen in retinal neurons
Sagar, S. M., & Sharp, F. R. (1990) · Molecular Brain Research · doi:10.1016/0169-328x(90)90068-o · Cited by 142 · see citing works
Correlation of dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens with masculine sexual behavior in rats
Pleim, E. T., Matochik, J. A., Barfield, R. J., & Auerbach, S. B. (1990) · Brain Research · doi:10.1016/0006-8993(90)90507-8 · Cited by 131 · see citing works
Pfaus, J. G., Mendelson, S. D., & Phillips, A. G. (1990) · Psychoneuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/0306-4530(90)90058-h · Cited by 130 · see citing works
Self-citationMas, M., González–Mora, J. L., Louilot, A., Solé, C., & Guadalupe, T. (1990) · Neuroscience Letters · doi:10.1016/0304-3940(90)90864-6 · Cited by 124 · see citing works
Warner, R. K., Thompson, J. T., Markowski, V. P., Loucks, J. A., Bazzett, T. J., Eaton, R. C., & Hull, E. M. (1991) · Brain Research · doi:10.1016/0006-8993(91)90505-p · Cited by 115 · see citing works
D2/D1 ratio in the medial preoptic area affects copulation of male rats.
Hull, E. M., Warner, R. K., Bazzett, T. J., Eaton, R. C., Thompson, J. T., & Scaletta, L. L. (1989) · Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics · doi:10.1016/s0022-3565(25)20824-2 · Cited by 97 · see citing works
Pharmacological analysis of male rat sexual behavior.
Bitran, D., & Hull, E. M. (1987) · Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews · doi:10.1016/s0149-7634(87)80008-8 · Cited by 97 · see citing works
Differential effects of dopamine receptor antagonists on the sexual behavior of male rats
Pfaus, J. G., & Phillips, A. G. (1989) · Psychopharmacology · doi:10.1007/bf00451688 · Cited by 89 · see citing works
Self-citationNeurochemical correlates of male sexual behavior.
Mas, M., del Castillo, A. R., Guerra, M., Davidson, J., & Battaner, E. (1987) · Physiology and Behavior · doi:10.1016/0031-9384(87)90398-2 · Cited by 74 · see citing works
Midbrain lesions, dopamine and male sexual behavior
Brackett, N. L., Iuvone, P. M., & Edwards, D. A. (1986) · Behavioural Brain Research · doi:10.1016/0166-4328(86)90006-9 · Cited by 72 · see citing works
Unilateral induction of c-fos protein in cortex following cortical devascularization
Herrera, D. G., & Robertson, H. A. (1989) · Brain Research · doi:10.1016/0006-8993(89)91665-x · Cited by 71 · see citing works
Gene activity during the early phase of androgen-stimulated rat prostate regrowth.
Katz, A. E., Benson, M. C., Wise, G. J., et al. (1989) · PubMed · Cited by 70 · see citing works
Adenosinergic modulation of caffeine-induced c-fos mRNA expression in mouse brain
Nakajima, T., Daval, J., Morgan, P. F., Post, R. M., & Marangos, P. J. (1989) · Brain Research · doi:10.1016/0006-8993(89)90647-1 · Cited by 70 · see citing works
Region-selective activation of brain monoamine synthesis by sexual activity in the male rat
Ahlénius, S., Carlsson, A., Hillegaart, V., et al. (1987) · European Journal of Pharmacology · doi:10.1016/0014-2999(87)90011-2 · Cited by 45 · see citing works
Sexual refractoriness and locomotion effects on brain monoamines in the male rat
Hoffman, N. W., Gerall, A. A., & Kalivas, P. W. (1987) · Physiology & Behavior · doi:10.1016/0031-9384(87)90312-x · Cited by 23 · see citing works
Effects of the frequency of mating on the androgen-sensitive organs and sexual behavior
Folman, Y., & Drori, D. (1969) · Physiology & Behavior · doi:10.1016/0031-9384(69)90060-2 · Cited by 22 · see citing works
Mediation of the mating induced increase in accessory reproductive organ size of male rats
Thomas, T. R., & Thomas, C. N. (1973) · Physiology & Behavior · doi:10.1016/0031-9384(73)90078-4 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
Flagged first, then by citations
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Dopamine, the medial preoptic area, and male sexual behavior
DOMINGUEZ, J., & HULL, E. (2005) · Physiology & Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.physbeh.2005.08.006 · Cited by 277 · see citing works
Coolen, L. M., Peters, H. J. P. W., & Veening, J. G. (1996) · Brain Research · doi:10.1016/0006-8993(96)00763-9 · Cited by 272 · see citing works
Johnson, Z. V., Walum, H., Jamal, Y. A., Xiao, Y., Keebaugh, A. C., Inoue, K., & Young, L. J. (2016) · Hormones and Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.yhbeh.2015.11.011 · Cited by 190 · see citing works
Intranasal administration of oxytocin: behavioral and clinical effects, a review
Veening, J. G., & Olivier, B. (2013) · Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews · doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2013.04.012 · Cited by 169 · see citing works
Coolen, L. M., Peters, H. J. P. W., & Veening, J. G. (1997) · Neuroscience · doi:10.1016/s0306-4522(96)00542-8 · Cited by 166 · see citing works
FIORINO, D., COURY, A., FIBIGER, H., & PHILLIPS, A. (1993) · Behavioural Brain Research · doi:10.1016/0166-4328(93)90109-4 · Cited by 131 · see citing works
Self-citationOxytocin and rodent sociosexual responses: from behavior to gene expression
M.Witt, D. (1995) · Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews · doi:10.1016/0149-7634(95)00006-z · Cited by 64 · see citing works
- Authors
- Robertson, G. S., Pfaus, J. G., Atkinson, L. J., Matsumura, H., Phillips, A. G., & Fibiger, H. C.
- Affiliations
- University of British Columbia (CA)
- Rockefeller University (US)
- Corresponding author
- Fibiger, H.C.
- Venue
- Brain Research
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 1991-11
- Volume
- 564
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 352-357
- ISSN
- 0006-8993 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2118594719
- Cited by
- 169
- References
- 42
- Citations by year
- 2025: 1 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 2 · 2014: 5 · 2013: 5 · 2012: 4
- FWCI
- 3.67
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Brain Research (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institutes of Health (5f32ns008621-02)
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NS08621)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Hypothalamic control of reproductive hormones
- Keywords
- sexual behavior, copulation, Fos expression, Fos-like immunoreactivity, neuronal activation, medial preoptic area, nucleus accumbens, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, piriform cortex, forebrain, dopamine release, striatum, male rats
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Brain Chemistry, Corpus Striatum, Female, Male, Nucleus Accumbens, Ovariectomy, Preoptic Area, Rats, Inbred Strains, Sexual Behavior, Animal, Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos, Rats
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review