COPULATORY ACTIVITY IN ADULT MALE RATS FOLLOWING CASTRATION AND INJECTIONS OF TESTOSTERONE PROPIONATE1

Abstract

Expts. with 5 normal and 11 castrated animals showed that sexual activity was restored in all inactivated castrates by subcut. injs. of testosterone propionate, and copulatory frequency approached that of the precastration period. The ejaculatory reflex was slower to return. Sexual aggressiveness waned after injs. ceased, but returned when hormone adm. was resumed. Obstruction tests given to 8 castrates under influence of the hormone gave evidence of sexual drive in 6, but only 1 showed a degree of aggressiveness similar to normal [female][female]. The chief difference in the reproductive tracts, in gross appearance, was that the castrates had smaller amts. of fluid in coagulatory glands than did the controls.