Mating enhances expression of hormonal and trophic factors in the midbrain of female rats

Microarrays revealed 53 target genes that were significantly up-regulated (> 2.0-fold change) in response to mating. Mating significantly enhanced midbrain mRNA expression of genes involved in hormonal and trophic actions: Gh1, S100g, and Klk1b3 in proestrous, but not OVX and/or ADX, rats; Fshb in all but OVX/ADX rats; and Lhb and Tshb in all rats. Thus, mating enhances midbrain gene expression, independent and dependent of, peripheral glands.