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Female rhesus sexual behavior and distance to a male partner: Relation to stage of the menstrual cycle

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Abstract

Female rhesus monkeys were observed in standardized mating tests during successive menstrual cycles as well as in tests while separated from, but in view of, their male partners. Under both conditions, behaviors of the female were noted which varied with the stages of the menstrual cycle. Some of the most prominent fluctuations occurred in measures of interindividual distance. In particular, time spent near the male peaked at the time most likely for ovulation. The pattern of changes in this behavioral index followed a course similar to that noted for male ejaculatory success and for hormone-dependent coloration of the females' sex skin. The frequency of particular female solicit actions was also maximal during the periovulatory portion of the cycle. Female presents, a behavior often used by others as an indicator of female sexual motivation, did not show corresponding changes under either test condition.

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Author notes

  1. Craig Bielert Ph.D.

    Present address: University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Wisconsin Regional Primate Research Center, Madison, Wisconsin, USA

    John A. Czaja Ph.D. & Craig Bielert Ph.D.

  2. Department of Psychology, The University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA

    John A. Czaja Ph.D.

Authors
  1. John A. Czaja Ph.D.
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  2. Craig Bielert Ph.D.
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Additional information

This work (Publication No. 15-08 of the Wisconsin Regional Primate Research Center) was supported by the following grants: National Institutes of Health Grant No. RR 00167 to the Wisconsin Regional Primate Research Center and National Institute of Mental Health Grant No. MH 21312.

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Czaja, J.A., Bielert, C. Female rhesus sexual behavior and distance to a male partner: Relation to stage of the menstrual cycle. Arch Sex Behav 4, 583–597 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01544267

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