Reproductive function and sexual behaviour in female rats exposed to immobilization stress or ACTH injections during gestation.

Abstract

Pregnant primiparous rats were exposed to low immobilization stress or ACTH injections (one unit) throughout pregnancy. We measured the following parameters in the female offsprings: puberty (vaginal opening and first oestrous), oestrous cycle and sexual behaviour. Compared to the controls, female sexual receptivity measured by means of lordosis and the lordosis quotient (LQ) increased in both the experimental groups, but the puberty parameters of the offspring did not alter.