GUINEA PIG COPULATORY REFLEX IN RESPONSE TO ADRENAL STEROIDS AND SIMILAR COMPOUNDS

Abstract

The copulatory reflex can be induced in estrogen-primed, ovariectomized guinea pigs by giving progesterone. Several adrenal steroids and similar compounds were tested and some were found to evoke this reflex. Desoxycorticosterone acetate was about 1/4 as active, and compound A acetate about 1/8 as effective as progesterone. 11-Ketoprogesterone, 11 beta-hydroxyprogesterone, and corticosterone had about 1/40 the activity of progesterone, while compound S, hydrocortisone, cortisone, 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone, and 21-desoxyhydro-cortisone were ineffective or had only slight activity. The adrenal androgens, adrenosterone and 4-androstene-3,17-dione, and the amorphous fraction did not induce this behavioral response. Effectiveness of adrenal steroids in inducing the copulatory reflex in ovariectomized guinea pigs is apparently not associated with gonadal hormone, glucocorticoid, mineralo-corticoid, or ACTH-inhibiting activity. Data presented indicate that certain adrenal hormones may normally play a role in the copulatory reflex in guinea pigs, and by extension, may be effective in the mating behavior of other mammals.