Inhibition of sexual behaviour in lactating rats

Treatment with oestradiol benzoate (OB; 2–250 μg) and progesterone (0·5–25 mg) failed to induce sexual behaviour in lactating rats 6 days after parturition. Removal of pups permitted the induction of sexual behaviour by OB and progesterone and the inhibitory effect of the presence of pups was proportional to the number present. Ovariectomy of lactating rats or reduction of serum prolactin levels in intact lactating rats by daily treatment with the dopamine receptor agonist bromocriptine (0·5 mg/day) permitted the induction of sexual behaviour despite the presence of suckling pups. Removal of pups from lactating rats and subsequent maintenance of high prolactin levels by daily treatment with the dopamine receptor antagonist domperidone (2·5 mg/day) maintained the state of refractoriness to the behavioural effects of OB and progesterone provided that the ovaries remained in situ. Inhibition of sexual behaviour in lactating rats could be maintained after ovariectomy by implantation of progesterone-filled, but not androgen-filled implants at the time of ovariectomy. Removal of the pups or reduction of prolactin levels by bromocriptine treatment permitted the induction of sexual behaviour by OB in ovariectomized progesterone-implanted lactating rats. Inhibition of the behaviour in ovariectomized progesterone-implanted lactating rats could be maintained after pup removal by daily domperidone treatment. Continuously raised serum progesterone or prolactin levels have no effect on the induction of sexual behaviour in female rats but the present data suggest that during lactation progesterone and prolactin act in synergy to inhibit the behaviour.