Estrogens receptors (ER) are involved in several sociosexual behaviors and fear responses. In particular, the ERα is important for sexual behaviors, whereas ERβ modulates anxiolytic responses. Using shRNA directed either against the ERα or the ERβ RNAs (or containing luciferase control) encoded within an adeno-associated viral vector, we silenced these receptors in the ventromedial nucleus of the ...

Female mate choice is often investigated in terms of reproductive success in order to understand how male characteristics contribute to sexual attractiveness. Previous studies have found that females rats prefer mating with their first encounter rather than males visited subsequently, suggesting that the rewarding value of this first encounter is enough to reinforce mating with the first partner. ...

The behavioral effects of putative anxiolytic and anxiogenic drugs are usually evaluated in highly standardized tests. Here, we determined the effects of such drugs in rats housed in mixed sex groups in a seminatural environment. Sexually receptive female Wistar rats were treated with either the anxiolytic drug chlordiazepoxide (2 mg/kg), the anxiogenic drug yohimbine (1 mg/kg), or saline (1 ml/kg). ...