[Involvement of catecholamine mechanisms in the activation of the mouse hypophyseal-testicular complex induced by the presence of females].

A study was made of the role of the adrenergic and dopamine mechanisms in the activation of endocrine testicular function of CBA/Lac and A/He male mice induced by the presence of a female in estrus without any tactile contact with a male. The alpha-adrenoreceptor blocker phentolamine inhibited an increase in the peripheral blood plasma testosterone level caused by the receptive female challenge. Propranolol blockade of beta-adrenoreceptors sharply increased the stimulating effect of the receptive female presence on the blood testosterone level. The expression of adrenoblocker action on the blood male sex hormone level depended on a male genotype. The dopamine receptor blocker pimozide produced a moderate effect on the blood testosterone but an attempt to separate its influence into the male sex hormone tonic secretion and the blood testosterone level against a background of sex activation failed. It was concluded that the adrenergic mechanisms were involved in the hypothalamo-hypophyseotesticular complex activation induced by the receptive female presence.