Abstract
Normative data on the fate of ejaculatory plugs were collected following a total of 162 ejaculations attained by 18 male rats each given three tests. Sixty-nine percent of the plugs were dislodged, 82% of these after three or fewer intromissions. Males ate a total of 65% of the plugs, whereas females ate none. More than half of the plugs consumed were consumed between the time of dislodging and the next intromission. Plug consumption is a behavioral pattern appropriate for further study.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
BEACH, F. A. Sexual behavior in the male rat. Science, 1966, 153, 769–770.
BEACH, F. A., & JORDAN, L. Sexual exhaustion and recovery in the male rat. Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology, 1956, 7, 121–133.
BEACH, F. A., WESTBROOK, W. H., & CLEMENS, L. G. Comparisons of the ejaculatory response in men and animals. Psychosomatic Medicine, 1966, 28, 749–763.
CLODY, D. E., & CARLTON, P. L. Behavioral effects of lesions of the medial septum of rats. Journal of Comparative & Physiological Psychology, 1969, 67, 344–351.
GOODMAN, E. D., BUNNELL, B. N., DEWSBURY, D. A., & BOLAND, B. Septal lesions and male rat copulatory behavior. Psychonomic Science, 1969, 16, 123–124.
LISK, R. D. Inhibitory centers in sexual behavior in the male rat. Science, 1966a, 152, 669–670.
LISK, R. D. Increased sexual behavior in the male rat following lesions in the mammallary region. Journal of Experimental Zoology, 1966b, 161, 129–136.
LISK, R. D. Cyclic fluctuations in sexual responsiveness in the male rat. Journal of Experimental Zoology, 1969, 171, 313–320.
OHRBACH, J. Spontaneous ejaculation in the rat. Science, 1961, 134, 1072–1073.
OHRBACH, J., MILLER, M., BILLIMORIA, A., & SOLHKHAH, N. Spontaneous seminal ejaculation and genital grooming in rats. Brain Research, 1967, 5, 520–523.
WADE, G. N., & ZUCKER, I. Taste preferences of female rats: Modification by neonatal hormones, food deprivation, and prior experience. Physiology & behavior, 1969, 4, 935–943.
WHALEN, R. E. Differentiation of the neural mechanisms which control gonadotropin secretion and sexual behavior. In M. Diamond (Ed.), Perspectives in reproduction and sexual behavior, Bloomington, Ind: Indiana University Press, 1968. Pp. 303–340.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
This research was supported by Grant GB-12941 from the National Science Foundation. Hormones were generously provided by Dr. Preston L. Perlman of the Schering Corporation, Bloomfield, New Jersey.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Mosig, D.W., Dewsbury, D.A. Plug fate in the copulatory behavior of rats. Psychon Sci 20, 315–316 (1970). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03329086
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03329086