Role of the developing rat testis in differentiation of the neural tissues mediating mating behavior.

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Abstract
Male rats castrated at 1, 5, 20, 30, and 90 days of age and females ovariectomized at 90 days of age were compared as adults for female mating behavior when given estradiol and progesterone. The Day-1 and Day-5 castrates displayed more feminine behavior than those castrated after Day 5. When males castrated at similar ages received testosterone as adults, Day 1 and Day- 5 castrates displayed fewer intromissions and ejaculations than Ss castrated later. The data support the hypothesis that the action of gonadal hormones on differentiating genital tracts and neural tissues is analogous. Feminization occurs in genotypic females or in either sex when gonads are absent. Masculinization occurs when androgen is present, regardless of genotypic sex.