Relationships between sexual activity, plasma testosterone, and the volume of the sexually dimorphic nucleus of the preoptic area in prenatally stressed and non-stressed rats

The sexually dimorphic nucleus of the preoptic area (SDN-POA) has recently been shown to be reduced in cross-sectional area in prenatally stressed male rats. As masculine copulatory behavior is also reduced in prenatally stressed animals, the present study was designed to test a possible relationship between the entire volume of the SDN-POA and masculine sexual activity in both prenatally stressed and control adult male rats. We report here that prenatally stressed adult males have significantly reduced SDN-POA volumes, reduced levels of sexual activity and lower plasma testosterone levels as compared to control animals. Additionally, however, a strong positive relationship was demonstrated between SDN-POA volume and sexual activity in both stressed and control animals. SDN-POA volumes of sexually active animals from stressed and control groups are approximately equal. SDN-POA volumes of sexually non-active animals are also equal and are about two times smaller than those of sexually active animals, either stressed or control. Similar correlations are reported between SDN-POA volume and testosterone level, and between testosterone level and sexual activity. It is concluded that (1) SDN-POA volume is predictive of sexual activity in both stressed and control male rats, (2) there is a relationship between SDN-POA volume and plasma testosterone level, and (3) the SDN-POA likely has multiple roles in the circuitry underlying masculine reproductive processes and hormone regulation.