Rat sexual behavior: Photographic analysis of the intromission response

Abstract

High-speed photography of electrically monitored rat sexual behavior suggested that the intromission response may be analyzed into two components: a detection component, in which the male makes a variable number of very rapid shallow thrusts around and eventually into the vaginal opening, and a stimulation component, which consists of a single deep thrust into the vagina followed immediately by rapid and vigorous withdrawal and dismount. A suggestion is offered which relates the form of the behavior to the presumed method of penile receptor stimulation.