HORMONE FACTORS IN MALE BEHAVIOR OF THE FEMALE RAT1

Abstract

The sexual behavior of normal, castrated, and hormone-treated [female][female] is described and discussed. For the behavior of [female][female], the term spasm is suggested to denote the visible equivalent of ejaculation. Copulation of an estrous [female][female] with a normal virgin [female][female] was observed at the age of 42 days and at 50 days. Females injected from birth with testosterone propionate copulated with estrous [female][female], but no spasmic reactions occurred. The testosterone-treated [female][female] were also attractive to normal [female][female] One testosterone-treated [female] copulated with 2 normal [male][male] in spite of strong resistance. [female][female] injected from birth with estradiol showed strong masculine behavior, including the spasmic reaction. Masculinity persisted long after inj. cease, and approx. 2000 R.U. were necessary for reversal. Although normal [male][male] were strongly attracted to these [female][female], the latter resisted them constantly, but arched occasionally if caught. In sex-reversal, the hormones upset the established organization of behavior and stimulated the functioning of other sensory-motor routes, which are normally suppressed.