Experimental Studies of Sexual Behavior in Male Mammals1

Abstract

Results of exptl. investigations of sexual behavior in [male] mammals suggest several tentative generalizations among which are the following. Incomplete mating responses frequently appear in many spp. well in advance of reproductive maturity. Among lower mammals the totally inexperienced adult [male] mates effectively at the first opportunity; whereas the [male] of higher primates (chimpanzee) is unable to mate without considerable practice. Sexual arousal in the [male] depends not upon a single sensory aspect of the receptive [female] but upon a complex multi-sensory pattern of stimulation. Extensive injury to the cerebral cortex in [male] rodents appears to reduce susceptibility to sexual excitement, and similar results have been obtained in [male] cats. Androgen exerts a facilitative effect upon susceptibility to sexual arousal in the [male] It is suggested that this effect is a result of increased responsiveness in critical central nervous mechanisms. Sexual excitability in [male][male] of all mammalian spp. is subject to modification through experience, and this modifiability is thought to depend upon the involvement of the cortex in the processes of sexual arousal. Although [male][male] of some species may exhibit feminine sexual behavior such responses are best interpreted as "bisexual," rather than "homosexual" since'' the same animals exhibit masculine and feminine patterns alternately, the deciding factor being the type of stimulus situation provided in the environment.