Hormonal basis of proceptivity and receptivity in female primates

Abstract

The role played by steroid hormones in regulating the sexual behavior of female primates is reviewed, with emphasis placed on experiments using nonhuman species. A distinction is made between the effects of hormones on female proceptivity (i.e., behaviors which incite mounting activity in the male) and receptivity (i.e., willingness to accept male mounting attempts). The rationale for distinguishing between proceptivity and receptivity is discussed, and the methods used for measuring each are described. Evidence shows that estrogen of ovarian origin facilitates sexual interaction primarily by stimulating the emission of nonbehavioral cues which increase the female's sexual attractivity (i.e., the value of a female as a sexual stimulant for a male). Evidence is presented suggesting that estrogen may enhance proceptivity by acting on the female's central nervous system; however, there is no clear demonstration that estrogen affects neural mechanisms controlling receptivity. Experiments show that proceptivity and to a lesser extent receptivity are modulated by adrenal androgens, and the possibility is raised that adrenal androgens may act synergistically with estrogen to facilitate sexual behavior. A disruptive effect of progesterone on sexual interaction is described, and evidence is presented suggesting that this effect of progesterone results primarily from a reduction in sexual attractivity caused by the action of the hormone in the female's vagina. Other literature indicates that proceptivity is often maximal at the periovulatory period of the female primate's menstrual cycle whereas cyclic variations in receptivity occur infrequently. Most hormone-dependent changes in sexual interaction associated with the menstrual cycle seem to result from fluctuations in nonbehavioral attributes of female sexual attractivity. The problem of distinguishing between the effects of steroid hormones on proceptivity and receptivity in human females is discussed.