Experiential and genetic factors in the organization of sexual behavior in male guinea pigs.

Abstract

Four experiments were performed in an effort to determine whether sexual behavior is innately organized in the male guinea pig or whether contact with other animals plays a role in its organization into an effective pattern. Accordingly, males from different genetic strains were reared in either isolate or social caging situations. The main conclusions follow: (1) contact with other animals has an organizing action on the development of the copulatory pattern of the male guinea pig; (2) the influence of contact may be exerted very early in the life of the animal; (3) genetic differences between strains of guinea pigs are responsible for differences in the age at which organization of sexual behavior may take place and for the amount of sexual excitement exhibited during tests; (4) genetic differences in level of sexual excitement are not overcome by the administration of large quantities of exogenous androgen; (5) contact with males as well as with females generally provides sufficient experience for the organization of the copulatory pattern.