Diurnal variation in the genital reflexes and hormone levels induced by paradoxical sleep deprivation and cocaine in male rats.

The purpose was to ascertain whether the genital reflexes induced by paradoxical sleep deprivation (PSD) in male rats show diurnal variation, and whether the hormonal rhythm of testosterone and progesterone is involved in these behaviors. Genital reflexes (penile erection -- PE, and ejaculation -- EJ) and hormone levels were assessed during a 24 h period at four testing times (0900, 1600, 2100 and 0400 h) in PSD rats injected with saline or cocaine. Results indicated that PE in PSD rats given saline or cocaine did not show diurnal variation while EJ responses were significantly reduced at 0400 h in the PSD-cocaine group. The home-cage control group testosterone concentrations were lower at 1600, 2100 and 0400 h than at 0900 h. At 0900 h, testosterone levels were significantly lower in the PSD groups than in the control group. In contrast, progesterone levels were significantly higher in PSD groups in relation to the control group at the four testing times. Thus, we observed strong diurnal variation in testosterone and progesterone in control rats whereas only EJ responses in PSD-cocaine seemed to be influenced by the time of day. These results suggest that progesterone may influence the modulation of male genital reflexes displayed by sleep-deprived rats.