Role of olfactory stimuli during copulation in male and female rats.

Describes 3 experiments with a total of 74 gonadally-normal male and 29 ovariectomized female Long-Evans rats. Male and female reactions toward odors from novel and original partners were observed prior to the male's attaining his 1st or 2nd ejaculation. The male's reaction depended upon the sexual condition of the female. Only prior to their initial ejaculation did the males prefer their original partner's odors to those of novel females and only if the odors were collected from the females prior to copulation. This finding corresponded with observations of the male's random choice of partner during copulation. Females responded nonpreferentially if they had copulated prior to testing and showed a marked decrease in responsiveness as copulation continued. Prior to copulation females preferred the odors from males which had not copulated to those of males which had. (25 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)