A group of estrogen-primed, ovariectomized rats was adrenalectomized and tested for sexual receptivity following hypothalamic implantations of PGE2. The combination of PGE2 and adrenalectomy led to severe debilitation as manifested by greatly reduced open-field activity scores and inhibition of estrogen and progesterone induced sexual receptivity. Neither exogenous progesterone nor corticosterone was able to restore these behaviors to normal levels. A mechanism involving PGE2 and adrenalectomy-induced transient ischemia was discussed as a possible cause of the debilitation.