Anteromedial hypothalamic lesions block proceptivity but not receptivity in the female common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus)

The sexual behavior of 8, estradiol-treated, ovariectomized common marmosets was recorded prior to and after bilateral radiofrequency lesions of the hypothalamus. Lesions of the anterior hypothalamus, which extended to varying degrees into the medial hypothalamus, virtually abolished proceptive tongue-flicking and staring displays. Tongue-flicking during copulation also decreased, but the females did not show any significant increase in the number of mounts which they refused or terminated with the exception of one animal which had received more extensive damage to the medial hypothalamus. Significant increases in the frequencies of allogrooming and grooming invitations also occurred after the females had been lesioned. Sexual behavior was not significantly altered in 3 females which received sham lesions. These results provide the first direct evidence for a neuroanatomical distinction between hypothalamic mechanisms which regulate proceptivity and receptivity in primates.