Effects of the male's copulatory behavior on successful pregnancy of the female rat.

Abstract

Examined in 8 experiments the copulatory behavior of male Sprague-Dawley rats for their role in initiating successful pregnancy in female Sprague-Dawley rats. Major effects were: (1) stimulation derived from the multiple intromissions delivered during 1 ejaculatory series induced the hormonal conditions prerequisite to ovum implantation and successful pregnancy, and (2) intromissions facilitated sperm transport through the cervix. Without at least 1 intromission before ejaculation, the sperm did not pass from the vagina into the uterus. Results are analyzed with reference to the functional relationship between patterns of copulation in male rodents and the length of estrous cycles in females. (36 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved)