Peripheral factors in the regulation of sexual contact by female rats.

Abstract

In the 1st of 3 experiments performed to investigate the relation between the intensity of sexual stimulation and the temporal regulation of that stimulation by estrous female rats, deposit of the vaginal plug was experimentally controlled. Females showed shorter response intervals after ejaculations when plug deposit was prevented than when it was not. In Experiment 2 females'' vaginas and perineal regions were treated with an anesthetic. Response intervals following all 3 types of sexual contact were less during anesthetic sessions than during control sessions. In Experiment 3 females were serviced by males who could not effect intromission. Under these conditions females exhibited relatively short contact-response intervals throughout 1-hr. testing sessions.