Behavioral Endocrinology (Hormones & Behavior) Chapter 5

sexual motivation

interest in and attempts to engage in copulatory activity. A conceptual term referring to the inclination of an individual to seek out and approach another individual for the purpose of mating

pheromones

a chemical signal produced by one organism that is capable of altering the reproductive behavior or physiology of another member of the same species; may act slowly (priming effects), may act quickly (releasing effects), or may communicate specific information (signaling effects)

aromatase

an enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of testosterone into estradiol

vomeronasal organ

a receptor organ for detecting chemical signals, particularly pheromones

proceptivity

extent to which an individual engages in behaviors likely to initiate mating from another individual. In female rats, ear-wiggling and hopping-and-darting appear to be this behaviors.

receptivity

extent to which an animal will mate, often measured in female rodents by quantifying the frequency or duration of the lordosis reflex

voltammetry

the method by which the pattern of electrical current at the membrane is measured

microdialysis

method by which small amounts of neurotransmitters in the extracellular fluid are collected for later analysis; it involves diffusion across a semipermeable membrane at the base of a cannula

prolactin

a pituitary hormone secreted during nursing to promote lactation, during mating to promote progesterone release and successful implantation, and during stress to inhibit reproduction

endorphin

a 31 amino acid protein that serves as an endogenous morphine or opioid by acting as a neurotransmitter in the brain and a hormone in the pituitary and gut; a class of neurotransmitter/hormones which are secreted in response to stress and can blunt pain perception, inhibit reproductive physiology, and alter immunity

vasopressin

a hormone with a variety of effects throughout the body; a peptide hormone that is released from the posterior pituitary gland, it affects water balance; it can also be released from the hypothalamus where it acts as a at the pituitary, stimulating secretion of adrenocorticotropin (ACTH); typically released during stress; it reduces blood pressure during serious blood loss, which stimulated the reabsorption of water, and it also has direct central actions that influence learning and memory systems

oxytocin

a peptide hormone secreted by the posterior pituitary gland that triggers milk let down in lactating females and may be involved in other reproduction and social behaviors