OVARIAN HORMONES AND THE SEXUAL BEHAVIOUR OF THE MALE RHESUS MONKEY (MACACA MULATTA) UNDER LABORATORY CONDITIONS

Abstract

SUMMARY Male sexual behaviour was studied quantitatively by observing pairs of oppositely sexed, adult rhesus monkeys during regular hourly test sessions over 2 yr.; at all other times the animals were housed singly. Rhythmic fluctuations in the mounting behaviour of males occurred in relation to the menstrual cycles of female partners. Two patterns were seen: those with high and low levels of mounting, respectively, in follicular and luteal phases, and those with more isolated maxima near mid-cycle. Ejaculation times were shortest and mounting rates highest near ovulation. Bilateral ovariectomy of females abolished all rhythmic variations in the behaviour of the males, which also stopped ejaculating. Subcutaneous injections of oestradiol into ovariectomized females restored the sexual performance of males, an effect which was partly antagonized by the subsequent addition of progesterone. These findings indicate that sexual behaviour in a male primate is influenced, in some way, by the secretory activity of the female's ovaries.