Effect of electrolytic lesion of the dorsomedial striatum on sexual behaviour and locomotor activity in rats

Abstract

Introduction: Cortical motor areas are influenced not only by peripheral sensory afferents and prefrontal association areas, but also by the basal ganglia, specifically the striatum. The dorsomedial striatum (DMS) and dorsolateral striatum are involved in both spatial and stimulus-response learning; however, each of these areas may mediate different components of learning. The aim of the study is to determine the effect of electrolytic lesion to the DMS on the learning and performance of sexual behaviour and locomotor activity in male rats.

Method: Once the subjects had learned to perform motor tests of balance, maze navigation, ramp ascent, and sexual behaviour, they underwent electrolytic lesion to the DMS. Five days later, the tests were repeated on 2 occasions and researchers compared performance latencies for each test.

Results: Average latency values for performance on the maze and balance tests were higher after the lesion. However, the average values for the ramp test and for sexual behaviour did not differ between groups.

Conclusions: Electrolytic lesion of the DMS modifies the performance of locomotor activity (maze test and balance), but not of sexual behaviour.

Keywords: Aprendizaje; Conducta sexual; Dorsomedial striatum; Electrolytic lesion; Estriado dorsomedial; Learning; Lesión electrolítica; Locomoción; Locomotion; Sexual behaviour.