Permanent changes in sexual behavior induced by medial preoptic area kindling-like stimulation.

Kindling is a model of neuronal plasticity in which repeated electrical stimulation of certain brain areas leads to the progressive development of motor seizures. We have previously shown that medial preoptic area (MPOA) kindling induces sexual behavior in non-copulating male rats. In the present experiment, we found that previously non-copulating male rats display sexual behavior even 8 months after kindling stimulation had ceased. In addition, elicitation of an afterdischarge (AD) or stimulation until an intermediate stage was sufficient to induce sexual behavior in previously non-copulating male rats. These results suggest that kindling like stimulation, without seizure development, can induce permanent behavioral changes.