Final answer:
The hypothalamus plays a role in sexual arousal by regulating hormone release related to sexual arousal.
Step-by-step explanation:
The hypothalamus has a significant role in sexual arousal, specifically it regulates hormone release related to sexual arousal (c). This regulation is part of its control over the endocrine system, through its influence on the pituitary gland. This influence is crucial as the hypothalamus releases neurohormones that either stimulate or inhibit the secretion of hormones from the anterior pituitary gland, which in turn controls other endocrine glands. The hypothalamus, being a part of the brain's limbic system, is also involved in regulating behaviors and motivational states associated with sexual activity. For example, lesions to the medial preoptic area of the hypothalamus disrupt a male rat's ability to engage in sexual behavior, which highlights its role in coordinating the physiological aspects of sexual function. Although human sexuality is more complex, similar mechanisms of hypothalamic regulation of sexual function and motivation are observed in humans.