Paced mating behavior in the female rat following lesions of three regions responsive to vaginocervical stimulation.

The present study examines the effects of ibotenic acid lesions of the medial amygdala, the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis and the medial preoptic area on the display of paced mating behavior in female rats. Lesions of either the medial amygdala or the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis have no effect on the display of paced mating behaviors in ovariectomized, hormone-primed rats. In contrast, lesions of the medial preoptic area significantly lengthen contact-return latencies following intromissions and ejaculations and increase withdrawal from the male following intromissions. The present study demonstrates that the medial amygdala and the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis are not involved in the behavioral responses accompanying paced mating behavior, whereas the medial preoptic area is a critical component of the neural circuit mediating paced mating behavior as well as other appetitive aspects of mating.