The Interaction of Vasopressin with Hormones of the Hypothalamo-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis: The Significance for Therapeutic Strategies in Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases.

A large body of evidence indicates that vasopressin (AVP) and steroid hormones are frequently secreted together and closely cooperate in the regulation of blood pressure, metabolism, water-electrolyte balance, and behavior, thereby securing survival and the comfort of life. Vasopressin cooperates with hormones of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) at several levels through regulation of the release of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and multiple steroid hormones, as well as through interactions with steroids in the target organs. These interactions are facilitated by positive and negative feedback between specific components of the HPA.

Neurophysiology of male sexual arousal-Behavioral perspective.

In the presented review, we analyzed the physiology of male sexual arousal and its relation to the motivational aspects of this behavior. We highlighted the distinction between these processes based on observable physiological and behavioral parameters. Thus, we proposed the experimentally applicable differentiation between sexual arousal (SA) and sexual motivation (SM).

A Protocol for the Non-invasive Method of Ultrasound Separation During the Sociosexual Vocal-Non-contact Model in Rats.

Ultrasonic vocalization (USV) is one of the measurable behavioral parameters of sociosexual interactions in rats. To precisely and accurately describe the neurobehavioral properties of USV and the potentially related specific emotional responsiveness of animals, we need to know which animals vocalize and what is their exact behavioral and physiological response. To this end, we modified the non-contact cage [non-contact erection model (NCE)] by adding a modification [vocalization-non-contact erection (VOC-NCE)] that makes it possible to assign emitted ultrasonic signals to a particular animal.

Gender differences in short- vs. long-term impact of maternal depression following pre-gestational chronic mild stress.

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) with Peripartum Onset was classified in 2013 by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fifth Edition (DMS-5) and approved in 2019 by the World Health Organization (WHO). These diagnostic revisions call for the development of new animal models of maternal depression, emphasizing the pregnancy period. We have recently described a novel rat model of maternal MDD with a Peripartum Onset.

Anticipatory 50-kHz Precontact Ultrasonic Vocalizations and Sexual Motivation: Characteristic Pattern of Ultrasound Subtypes in an Individual Analyzed Profile.

We verified the hypothesis of the existence of forms of individual-specific differences in the emission of anticipatory precontact vocalization (PVs) indicating individualization related to sexual experience and motivation in male rats. Long-Evans males were individually placed in a chamber and 50-kHz ultrasounds were recorded during 5-min periods. In experiment 1, PVs were recorded before the introduction of a female in four consecutive sessions during the acquisition of sexual experience.

The Sexual Motivation of Male Rats as a Tool in Animal Models of Human Health Disorders.

Normal or dysfunctional sexual behavior seems to be an important indicator of health or disease. Many health disorders in male patients affect sexual activity by directly causing erectile dysfunction, affecting sexual motivation, or both. Clinical evidence indicates that many diseases strongly disrupt sexual motivation and sexual performance in patients with depression, addiction, diabetes mellitus and other metabolic disturbances with obesity and diet-related factors, kidney and liver failure, circadian rhythm disorders, sleep disturbances including obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, developmental and hormonal disorders, brain damages, cardiovascular diseases, and peripheral neuropathies.

Distinct classes of low frequency ultrasonic vocalizations in rats during sexual interactions relate to different emotional states.

This study examined low-frequency ultrasonic vocalizations (lUSVs) in rats during two types of sexual interactions; postejaculatory interval (PEI) and barrier - noncontact (NC) test. We report distinct classes of lUSVs that can be assigned to different emotional states; relaxation vs. frustration.

Modulation of 22-khz postejaculatory vocalizations by conditioning to new place: Evidence for expression of a positive emotional state.

It has been assumed that the 22-kHz ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) are emitted by adult rats as a result of a negative emotional state. However, emission of the 22-kHz vocalizations by male rats has been also observed following ejaculation, which has a high rewarding value as shown by a conditioned place preference test. These observations suggest that 22-kHz USVs may also occur in response to a positive emotional state.