Effects of injury to the cerebral cortex upon the display of masculine and feminine mating behavior by female rats.

Abstract

Eleven [female] rats were observed pre- and post-operatively (37 to 100% of neocortex) in situations in which they are placed with a highly receptive [female], or with a sexually active [male]. The female''s tendency to display masculine sexual reactions in response to a second [female] were reduced or abolished by cortical injury. Further observations lead to the suggestion that, "although the cerebral cortex is not essential to the occurrence of any of the separate feminine mating reactions the neopallium does contribute to the integration of these discrete responses into the well-organized, concatenated, and biologically effective series of acts which characterizes the sexually receptive pattern of the intact estrous 5. Furthermore, the cortex appears to be responsible for the normal female''s tendency to solicit sexual attentions of the male and to direct her display of receptive behavior toward a second animal.".