Opposite influence of medial preoptic D1 and D2 receptors on genital reflexes: implications for copulation
Abstract
Dopamine D1 and D2 receptors may synergize with or oppose each other's effects. We suggest that stimulation of D1 and D2 receptors in the medial preoptic area (MPOA) of male rats have opposing effects on genital reflexes. In Experiment 1 a D1 agonist injected into the MPOA increased the number of ex copula erections but decreased the number of seminal emissions. In Experiment 2 a D1 antagonist had the opposite effects (decreased erections and increased seminal emissions), as had a D2 agonist previously. We also suggest that D1 and D2 mechanisms in the MPOA have different thresholds of activation. In Experiment 3 a low dose of the mixed D1/D2 agonist apomorphine increased erections and anteroflexions, an effect blocked by the D1 antagonist. In Experiments 3 and 4 a high dose of apomorphine increased seminal emissions, an effect blocked by the D2 antagonist. Thus, low levels of dopaminergic stimulation may facilitate erections and anteroflexions (controlled by the parasympathetic system and striated muscles) via D1 receptors; higher or more prolonged stimulation may shift to seminal emission (controlled by the sympathetic system) via D2 receptors. This may explain the progression from erectile to ejaculatory mechanisms during copulation.
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Stimulation of D1 receptors in the medial preoptic area has the opposite effect to D2 stimulation and occurs at much lower doses.
“stimulation of D1 receptors in the medial preoptic area has the opposite effect and occurs at much lower doses (Hull et al. 1992).”
From Perinatal Exposure to Low Levels of the Environmental Antiandrogen Vinclozolin Alters Sex-Differentiated Social Play and Sexual Behaviors in the Rat (2005) · cites this paper as Hull et al. 1992
All of these procedures produce structural or functional changes in the erectile system.
“All of these procedures produce structural or functional changes in the erectile system (Hull et al. 1992; Monaghan et al. 1993; Warner et al. 1991).”
From Perinatal Exposure to Low Levels of the Environmental Antiandrogen Vinclozolin Alters Sex-Differentiated Social Play and Sexual Behaviors in the Rat (2005) · cites this paper as Hull et al. 1992
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Sorted by citations
A critical role for nucleus accumbens dopamine in partner-preference formation in male prairie voles
Aragona, B. J., Liu, Y., Curtis, J. T., Stephan, F. K., & Wang, Z. (2003) · The Journal of Neuroscience · doi:10.1523/jneurosci.23-08-03483.2003 · Cited by 351 · see citing works
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
Self-citationYoung, K. A., Liu, Y., & Wang, Z. (2008) · Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part C: Toxicology & Pharmacology · doi:10.1016/j.cbpc.2008.02.004 · Cited by 163 · see citing works
Oxytocin in the medial preoptic area facilitates male sexual behavior in the rat
Gil, M., Bhatt, R., Picotte, K. B., & Hull, E. M. (2011) · Hormones and Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.yhbeh.2010.12.012 · Cited by 70 · see citing works
“In fact, we now have a well supported hypothesis of how dopamine and its receptors in the MPOA facilitate male sexual behavior in the rat (Hull et al., 1986; Hull, Du, Lorrain, & Matuszewich, 1995; Hull et al., 1992).”
Colbert, N. K. W., Pelletier, N. C., Cote, J. M., Concannon, J. B., Jurdak, N. A., Minott, S. B., & Markowski, V. P. (2005) · Environmental Health Perspectives · doi:10.1289/ehp.7509 · Cited by 60 · see citing works
“On the other hand, stimulation of D1 receptors in the medial preoptic area has the opposite effect and occurs at much lower doses (Hull et al. 1992).”
BackgroundSelf-citation
- Authors
- Hull, E. M., Eaton, R. C., Markowski, V. P., Moses, J., Lumley, L. A., & Loucks, J. A.
- Affiliations
- University at Buffalo, State University of New York (US)
- Corresponding author
- Hull, Elaine M.
- Venue
- Life Sciences
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 1992-01
- Volume
- 51
- Issue
- 22
- Pages
- 1705-1713
- ISSN
- 0024-3205 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2117952814
- Cited by
- 130
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2025: 3 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 2 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 5 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 4 · 2013: 3 · 2012: 6
- FWCI
- 2.04
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Life Sciences (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Sexual function and dysfunction studies
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Hypothalamic control of reproductive hormones
- Keywords
- dopamine D1 receptor, dopamine D2 receptor, medial preoptic area, copulation, seminal emission, apomorphine, parasympathetic nervous system, striated muscle, male rats
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Apomorphine, Benzazepines, Copulation, Ejaculation, Male, Penile Erection, Penis, Preoptic Area, Salicylamides, Thiophenes, Dopamine Agents, Receptors, Dopamine D1, Receptors, Dopamine D2, Raclopride, Rats, Dopamine D2 Receptor Antagonists
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