Neural Circuits: Anatomy of a Sexual Behavior

Females of many species, once mated, undergo a rapid change in reproductive physiology and behavior, shifting from a sexually receptive state to one devoted to the rearing of offspring. Two recent reports shed light on the neural circuitry governing the female post-mating response in the fruit fly Drosophila, providing insight into the neurobiological processes governing a complex behavior. Females of many species, once mated, undergo a rapid change in reproductive physiology and behavior, shifting from a sexually receptive state to one devoted to the rearing of offspring. Two recent reports shed light on the neural circuitry governing the female post-mating response in the fruit fly Drosophila, providing insight into the neurobiological processes governing a complex behavior.