MASCULINE COPULATORY BEHAVIOR IN INTACT AND CASTRATED FEMALE RATS1

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Abstract
Eighteen of 20 normal, adult, [female] rats exhibited portions of the masculine copulatory pattern. The frequency of this behavior showed no relationship to any particular stage in the vaginal estrous cycle. The [female][female] displayed normal feminine receptivity when smears consisted chiefly of cornified epithelium. Ovari-ectomy eliminated vaginal cycles and receptive behavior, but had no effect upon the execution of masculine mating responses. Estrogen adm. revived receptivity and did not change the masculine behavior. Seventeen prepuberally-castrated [female] rats showed no feminine receptivity but did execute the masculine pattern as frequently as intact adult [female][female]. All groups of exptl. [female][female] showed the [male] mating reactions most readily, frequently and vigorously in response to a receptive [female] rat.