Document Detail


Copulatory behavior and the initiation of pregnancy in California voles (Microtus californicus).
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  385105     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
The copulatory behavior of Microtus californicus and its effect on pregnancy initiation were examined in two experiments. In experiment 1 18 males and 18 females which had received exogenous hormones participated in 54 tests of copulatory behavior, each continued to a satiety criterion of 30 min with no copulations. The basic pattern involved no lock, intravaginal thrusting, ejaculation possible on a single insertion and multiple ejaculation. Ejaculation frequency ranged from 1 to 5, with a mean of 2.2. In experiment 2, it was found that all females receiving satiety tests of copulatory behavior while in male-induced estrus ovulated and became pregnant. Whereas all 10 females receiving one ejaculation ovulated, only 60% became pregnant. Thus, it appears that copulation beyond one ejaculation functions in increasing the likelihood of pregnancy. By comparing different species of Microtus it is proposed that copulatory patterns in which males persist for many thrusts and ejaculations may have evolved in conjunction with ornate penile morphology, large litter sizes, and high stimulus requirements for the initiation of ovulation and a funtional luteal phase.
Authors:
A M Kenney; T G Hartung; D A Dewsbury
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Brain, behavior and evolution     Volume:  16     ISSN:  0006-8977     ISO Abbreviation:  Brain Behav. Evol.     Publication Date:  1979  
Date Detail:
Created Date:  1979-12-27     Completed Date:  1979-12-27     Revised Date:  2006-11-15    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0151620     Medline TA:  Brain Behav Evol     Country:  SWITZERLAND    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  176-91     Citation Subset:  IM    
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Animals
Arvicolinae* / physiology*
Copulation*
Embryo Implantation / drug effects
Estradiol / pharmacology
Estrus / drug effects
Female
Male
Ovulation / drug effects
Pregnancy
Pregnancy, Animal*
Rodentia* / physiology
Species Specificity
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
50-28-2/Estradiol

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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