Release of luteinizing hormone in male mice during exposure to females: habituation of the response

Science. 1979 Nov 30;206(4422):1099-101. doi: 10.1126/science.573924.

Abstract

Male mice release luteinizing hormone when exposed for a short time to a female. In this experiment, multiple blood samples were withdrawn by atrial cannulas from tethered males during either continuous or intermittent exposure to nonreceptive females. After an immediate, transient release of luteinizing hormone, continuous exposure to the same female was accompanied by only random, spontaneous elevations in plasma levels of this hormone. Successive presentations of the same female at 2-hour intervals elicited gradually diminishing luteinizing hormone responses. Exposing such unresponsive males to novel, diestrous females, however, dramatically stimulated their release of the hormone. These results demonstrate habituation of a socially induced, neuroendocrine response involving reproductive hormones.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Arousal / physiology
  • Diestrus
  • Female
  • Habituation, Psychophysiologic / physiology*
  • Luteinizing Hormone / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Pregnancy
  • Sexual Behavior, Animal / physiology

Substances

  • Luteinizing Hormone