Nervous Pathway Eliciting Reproductive Behaviour - Anatomy & Physiology

BACK TO REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM BACK TO REPRODUCTIVE BEHAVIOUR

Introduction

• Reproductive behaviour can only take place if the neurons in the hypothalamus have been sensitized to respond to sensory signals.

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Male

• In the male, testosterone is aromatized to oestradiol in the brain. Oestradiol promotes reproductive behaviour.
• Testosterone is produced in small episodes every 4-6 hours.
• Relatively constant supply of testosterone, thus oestradiol, to the hypothalamus in the male.
• This allows the male to initiate reproductive behaviour at any time.

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