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Induction of Sexual Excitement by the Action of Adrenocorticotrophic Hormone in Brain

Nature volume 221, pages 667–669 (1969)Cite this article

Abstract

EARLIER experiments in this laboratory showed that the injection of adrenocorticotrophic and melanocyte-stimulating peptides into cerebrospinal fluid or brain causes a behavioural change in dogs, cats, monkeys and various laboratory animals characterized by repeated stretching and yawning1–5. Preliminary experiments indicate that these substances also cause sexual excitation in dogs, monkeys, rabbits6 and cats7. The work described here was undertaken to study the mechanism of the sexual stimulation produced by ACTH-like polypeptides and the possible role of testosterone in this effect.

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Author notes

  1. G. L. GESSA

    Present address: Laboratory of Chemical Pharmacology, National Heart Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 20014

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Pharmacology, University of Modena, Italy

    A. BERTOLINI, W. VERGONI, G. L. GESSA & W. FERRARI

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  1. A. BERTOLINI
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  2. W. VERGONI
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  3. G. L. GESSA
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  4. W. FERRARI
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BERTOLINI, A., VERGONI, W., GESSA, G. et al. Induction of Sexual Excitement by the Action of Adrenocorticotrophic Hormone in Brain. Nature 221, 667–669 (1969). https://doi.org/10.1038/221667a0

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