Non-ovarian aromatization is required to activate female sexual motivation in testosterone-treated ovariectomized quail

摘要: Abstract Although aromatase is expressed in both male and female brains, its functional significance females remains poorly understood. In quail, sexual receptivity activated by estrogens. However it not known whether motivation similarly estrogen-dependent estrogens locally produced the brain contribute to these behavioral responses. Four main experiments were designed address questions. Experiment 1 chronic treatment of with anti-estrogen tamoxifen decreased their receptivity, confirming that this response under control 2 significantly as treated no longer approached a partner. 3 (a) ovariectomy (OVX) induced significant decrease time spent near compared gonadally intact females, (b) testosterone (OVX + T) partially restored responses (c) effect T was prevented when estradiol synthesis inhibited potent inhibitor Vorozole (OVX + T + VOR). Serum concentration higher OVX + T than OVX or OVX + T + VOR females. Together data demonstrate increases effects are mediated at least part non-gonadal aromatization androgen. Finally, assays activity on peripheral tissues (Experiment 4) strongly suggest contributes observed here following but alternative sources (e.g. liver) should also be considered.