Effects of coital stimulation upon behavior of the female rat.

Tested the importance of vagino-cervical stimulation during coitus in 2 experiments, using 16 intact and 48 ovariectomized Sprague-Dawley female rats, in which intromission was prevented by a vaginal mask. The behavior of Ss was compared to that of unmasked females. Behavioral indices included lordosis quotient, a measure of sexual responsiveness, and rejection quotient, a measure of social response toward the males. The rating of lordosis intensity on a 3-point scale provided a mean lordosis intensity. Exp. I investigated long-term effects of coital stimulation by repeated testing of Ss in natural and hormone-induced heat. Coital stimulation generally decreased the probability of subsequent lordosis and increased display of rejection. Exp. II studied the short-term effects of coital stimulation using single 50-mount tests. Coital stimulation decreased intensity as well as probability of subsequent lordosis. (23 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)