Central control of penile erection: A re-visitation of the role of oxytocin and its interaction with dopamine and glutamic acid in male rats

▶ Central oxytocin plays a role in penile erection and sexual behaviour in the rat. ▶ Brain areas involved include the PVN, spinal cord, VTA, hippocampus and amygdala. ▶ Here oxytocin neurons interacts with dopamine- and glutamic acid-containing neurons. ▶ Together these neurons may be part of a brain circuit controlling sexual behaviour. ▶ This circuit may control either sexual arousal, motivation, reward or performance.