Studies into the dual effects of serotonergic pharmacological agents on femal sexual behaviour in the rat: Preliminary evidence that endogenous 5HT is stimulatory

The potential stimulatory and inhibitory effects on female sexual behaviour of five 5HT antagonists and five agents that increase 5HT activity, were noted in ovariectomised rats primed with various steroid regimes such that they were either "receptive" or "non-receptive". In view of the fact that 4 out of 5 of the 5HT antagonists inhibited sexual behaviour, the authors hypothesise that 5HT has a stimulatory role in the control of female sexual behaviour. The possible mechanisms mediating the dual action of 5HTP on female sexual behaviour are discussed.