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Nucleus Paragigantocellularis Afferents In Male And Female Rats: Organization, Gonadal Steroid Receptor Expression, And Activation During Sexual Behavior, Joseph J. Normandin, Anne Z. Murphy Phd
Nucleus Paragigantocellularis Afferents In Male And Female Rats: Organization, Gonadal Steroid Receptor Expression, And Activation During Sexual Behavior, Joseph J. Normandin, Anne Z. Murphy Phd
Neuroscience Institute Faculty Publications
The supraspinal regulation of genital reflexes is poorly understood. The brainstem nucleus paragigantocellularis (nPGi) of rats is a well-established source of tonic inhibition of genital reflexes. However, the organization, gonadal steroid receptor expression, and activity of nPGi afferents during sex have not been fully characterized in male and female rats. To delineate the anatomical and physiological organization of nPGi afferents, the retrograde tracer Fluoro-Gold (FG) was injected into the nPGi of sexually experienced male and female rats. Animals engaged in sexual behavior 1 hour before sacrifice. Cells containing FG, estrogen receptor-α (ERα), androgen receptor (AR), and the immediate-early …