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Estradiol, and Not Increased Calorie Intake, Determines Sexual Behavior in Female Common Marmosets Karli R. Hochstatter, Amber K. Edwards, David H. Abbott Wisconsin National Primate Research Center Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI. Introduction There is strong evidence of the importance of the hypothalamus in controlling sexual behavior The hypothalamus has an array of estrogen receptors Female receptivity (sexual acceptance) is estrogen- dependent Low levels of circulating estradiol in women are correlated with diminished sexual behavior and increased risks of obesity Common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) serve as well established models of the female reproductive system Objective Methods Confirm that estradiol treatment of female marmosets improves sexual interactions with their male pair-mates 2-5 months following ovariectomy (OVX) Examine whether estradiol treatments prevent the development of diet-induced obesity, and accordingly, if the obesity affects sexual behaviors in female marmosets 2-5 months following OVX 15 adult female common marmosets ranging from 2-6 years of age Each female is pair-housed with a testis-intact adult male Bilaterally OVX and placed into the following groups: Control Empty Silastic capsules, High Calorie Diet (n=4) Control Empty Silastic capsules, Normal Calorie Diet (n=4) Estradiol-filled capsules, High Calorie Diet (n=4) Estradiol-filled capsules, Normal Calorie Diet (n=3) Sexual and affiliative behavior of each pair observed at: 2 months after OVX 5 months after OVX Behavioral Testing: Each study female was placed in a test cage out of sight of her male pair-mate. After 90 minutes, the male pair-mate was introduced into the test cage from a side cage via a remote door. Behaviors were scored for 15 minutes from within a blind behind a one-way screen. Each female received 2 behavioral tests, one week apart, at both 2 and 5 months after OVX Results 5 months post-OVX, male mounts correlate with: Female sexual receptivity in estradiol-treated females only (diets combined) (p