Hypothalamic cellular and molecular plasticity linked to sexual experience in male rats and mice

Male sexual behavior is subject to learning, resulting in increased efficiency of experienced males compared to naive ones. The improvement in behavioral parameters is underpinned by cellular and molecular changes in the neural circuit controlling sexual behavior, particularly in the hypothalamic medial preoptic area. This review provides an update on the mechanisms related to the sexual experience in male rodents, emphasizing the dif-ferences between rats and mice.

Automated summary

Male sexual behavior is influenced by learning, with experienced males showing greater efficiency than naive ones. This improvement is due to cellular and molecular changes in the neural circuit controlling sexual behavior, specifically in the hypothalamic medial preoptic area. This review highlights the mechanisms of sexual experience in male rodents and emphasizes the differences between rats and mice.