| Abstract: | Examined the influence of both natural and artificially induced endocrine states on the sociosexual behavior of female Long-Evans rats during 15-min behavioral observations in a complex testing apparatus that allowed Ss to control their contacts with sexually active and passive males and ovariectomized (OVX) females. Ss were either intact and in various stages of the estrous cycle or OVX and treated with estradiol benzoate (5–20 μg), estradiol plus progesterone (0.5 mg/kg), or vehicle. Factor analysis of the behavioral measures indicated separate loadings on a lordotic behavior factor, a factor for Ss' preference for proximity to OVX females or passive males; and a factor for Ss' locomotion between portions of the testing apparatus. Behavioral variables loading on these factors were influenced by endocrine state, but the nature of the relation between behaviors and endocrine state varied between factors. The utility of the present testing situation in investigations of the neuroendocrine substrates underlying the motivational aspects of feminine reproductive behavior is discussed. (22 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) |
