Estradiol, and Not Increased Calorie Intake, Determines Sexual
Behavior in Female Common Marmosets Karli R. Hochstatter, Amber K.
Edwards, David H. Abbott Wisconsin National Primate Research Center
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Wisconsin,
Madison, WI. Introduction There is strong evidence of the
importance of the hypothalamus in controlling sexual behavior The
hypothalamus has an array of estrogen receptors Female receptivity
(sexual acceptance) is estrogen- dependent Low levels of
circulating estradiol in women are correlated with diminished
sexual behavior and increased risks of obesity Common marmosets
(Callithrix jacchus) serve as well established models of the female
reproductive system Objective Methods Confirm that estradiol
treatment of female marmosets improves sexual interactions with
their male pair-mates 2-5 months following ovariectomy (OVX)
Examine whether estradiol treatments prevent the development of
diet-induced obesity, and accordingly, if the obesity affects
sexual behaviors in female marmosets 2-5 months following OVX 15
adult female common marmosets ranging from 2-6 years of age Each
female is pair-housed with a testis-intact adult male Bilaterally
OVX and placed into the following groups: Control Empty Silastic
capsules, High Calorie Diet (n=4) Control Empty Silastic capsules,
Normal Calorie Diet (n=4) Estradiol-filled capsules, High Calorie
Diet (n=4) Estradiol-filled capsules, Normal Calorie Diet (n=3)
Sexual and affiliative behavior of each pair observed at: 2 months
after OVX 5 months after OVX Behavioral Testing: Each study female
was placed in a test cage out of sight of her male pair-mate. After
90 minutes, the male pair-mate was introduced into the test cage
from a side cage via a remote door. Behaviors were scored for 15
minutes from within a blind behind a one-way screen. Each female
received 2 behavioral tests, one week apart, at both 2 and 5 months
after OVX Results 5 months post-OVX, male mounts correlate with:
Female sexual receptivity in estradiol-treated females only (diets
combined) (p