A sexually dimorphic rhythm in oestradiol-activated lordosis behaviour in the rat.

Ovariectomized rats exposed to constant plasma levels of oestradiol showed a daily rhythm in lordosis behaviour, with high levels of lordosis occurring during the dark portion of the daily light: darkness cycle and low levels during the light period. Similarly treated male rats failed to show a rhythm in lordosis behaviour. However, neonatal castration permitted the expression of the lordosis rhythm in male rats; conversely, an injection of 1.25 mg testosterone propionate on day 4 of life abolished the rhythm in female rats. Pinealectomy, adrenalectomy or depletion of brain 5-hydroxytryptamine levels did not affect the periodicity in lordosis behaviour but lesions in the suprachiasmatic nuclei of the hypothalamus disrupted the rhythm. It is suggested that the daily rhythm in lordosis behaviour participates in the control of the termination of heat in the female rat and that the perinatal hormone milieu may exert permanent effects on periodic functions.