THE CLUTCHING REACTION AND ORGASM IN THE FEMALE RHESUS MONKEY (MACACA MULATTA)

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Abstract
SUMMARY: A description is given of the turning round, looking backwards, lipsmacking, clutching and biting behaviour of the female rhesus monkey that occurs during the ejaculatory mount of the male: this behavioural sequence has been designated the clutching reaction. It was observed during almost all ejaculations in intact females, but the incidence decreased after bilateral ovariectomy. Oestrogen administration to ovariectomized females restored it to the levels in intact females and progesterone administration diminished it to levels lower than those in any other condition. It is suggested that this behavioural reaction is an external expression of consummatory sexual behaviour in the female rhesus monkey, and its homology with orgasm in the human female is discussed.