VMN lesion deficits in lordosis: partial reversal with pergolide mesylate.

Bilateral lesions of the VMN virtually eliminate estrogen-progesterone stimulated lordosis in the spayed female rat. The present paper demonstrates that some recovery in lordosis is possible following treatment with pergolide mesylate, a potent long acting dopamine agonist. Chronic administration of pergolide mesylate in combination with estrogen and progesterone resulted in significant recovery of lordosis in VMN lesioned female rats. The magnitude of recovery was related to the duration and/or dose of pergolide.