Male and female mating behavior in prepubertally castrated male rats receiving estrogens.

Abstract

Rats castrated at weaning were given estrogens during the following 1 1/2-3 mos. and changes in their sex activity noted. Theelin, Progynon-B and Proluteon were used. Both [male] and [female] castrates exhibited lordosis when mounted. More estrogen was required to produce this behavior in [male][male] than in [female][female]. [male] castrates copulated like normal [male][male] to a limited extent. No [female][female] showed masculine tendencies. Progesterone only slightly enhanced the effect of estrogen in the [male][male]-In the [male] the function of the hormones at puberty is to lower the threshold of a pattern of copulatory behavior which is organized earlier, possibly before birth. The behavior potentialities of prepubertal castrates are different for [male][male] and [female][female].