Sexual Behavior: Ultrasonic Postejaculatory Song of the Male Rat

SciencePublished 23 June 1972Open access

Ronald J. Barfield, Lynette A. Geyer

DOI10.1126/science.176.4041.1349

Citations232

TL;DR

During the refractory period that follows ejaculation, the male rat regularly emits 22-kilohertz vocalizations, and these cease after about three-fourths of the total period has elapsed, and this corresponds to an "absolute refractedory period" during which the male cannot spontaneously initiate copulation.

Abstract

During the refractory period that follows ejaculation, the male rat regularly emits 22-kilohertz vocalizations. These cease after about three-fourths of the total period has elapsed, and this corresponds to an "absolute refractory period" during which the male cannot spontaneously initiate copulation. Similar 22-kilohertz vocalizations occur in other social contexts, and in general they appear to be desist-contact signals.

Keywords

PsychologyMedicineNeuroscience

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