Adrenalectomy does not prevent the ability of 8-OH-DPAT to decrease the ejaculatory threshold in male rats.

The present experiments demonstrate that 8-OH-DPAT (0.25 mg/kg SC, - 15 min) produced a decrease in the ejaculatory threshold to the same extent in adrenalectomized male rats as in sham operated controls. Both groups of animals displayed a marked and statistically significant decrease in number of mounts and penile intromissions preceding ejaculation and in the ejaculation latency, as a result of treatment with 8-OH-DPAT. Adrenalectomy per se did not affect any aspect of the male rat's sexual behavior (latency to first intromission, number of mounts or penile intromissions, ejaculation latency or the postejaculatory interval). The surgical removal of the adrenals was verified by measurements of plasma corticosterone levels. It is concluded that well documented effects of 8-OH-DPAT on adrenal secretions do not contribute to its ability to decrease the ejaculatory threshold in male rats.