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Science 30 August 2002:
Vol. 297. no. 5586, pp. 1566 - 1569
DOI: 10.1126/science.1073885
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Reports

Identification of a Potential Ejaculation Generator in the Spinal Cord

William A. Truitt, Lique M. Coolen*

We tested the significance of a population of lumbar spinothalamic cells for male sexual behavior in rats. These cells are positioned to relay ejaculation-related signals from reproductive organs to the brain, and they express neurokinin-1 receptors. Ablation of these neurons by the selective toxin SSP-saporin resulted in a complete disruption of ejaculatory behavior. In contrast, other components of sexual behavior remained intact. These results suggest that this population of spinothalamic cells plays a pivotal role in generation of ejaculatory behavior and may be part of a spinal ejaculation generator.

Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology, and Anatomy; Neuroscience Graduate Program; University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Post Office Box 670521, Cincinnati, OH 45267-0521, USA.
*   To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: Lique.Coolen{at}uc.edu

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