Serotonin 1A receptors and sexual behavior in female rats: A review

• 5-HT1A receptors are important under conditions of elevated serotonin levels.
• During low levels of hormones 5-HT1A receptors are important.
• Three phases can be distinguished in the sexual cycle in males and females.
• Different phases of sexual behavior have different regulatory mechanisms.
• Male and female sexual behavior is more similar than normally expected.

This review focuses on the role of serotonin and especially 5-HT1A receptors in female rat sexual behavior. In addition, the differences and/or similarities with male rats are discussed. Overall, in both males and females 5-HT1A receptors do not appear to be involved in sexual behavior under normal circumstances, but become very important under conditions of elevated serotonin levels. 5-HT1A receptor agonists facilitate sexual behavior in male rats, but inhibit female sexual activity. At first sight, this seems quite conflicting, but could be due to our definitions of different elements of sexual behavior. Three different phases can be distinguished in rats' sexual cycle, the introductory (precopulatory), the copulatory and the executive (ejaculatory) phases. Different mechanisms and brain regions are involved in these phases. If the appropriate phases of males and females are properly compared, the role of 5-HT1A receptors in rats might be more similar than assumed thus far.