The role of mounts and intromissions in triggering ejaculation in rats

Abstract

Eight male rats copulated with an estrus female with an open vagina (NF) and an estrus female with the vagina covered by adhesive tape (CF). Experimental sessions were composed of two phases. During Phase 1 the males copulated with NF or with CF females until 4 intromissions or 4 mount bouts were displayed respectively. In Phase 2 the males copulated alternately with NF or CF according to three schedules: (1) a sequence two mount bouts with a CF female followed by one intromission, (2) a sequence one intromission followed by two mount bouts with a CF female, and (3) a sequence one intromission followed by four mount bouts with a CF female. All of these sequences were repeated until ejaculation. Ejaculation occurred in 95.8% of cases within one minute after the last intromission during copulation with the CF female. The results of this study indicate that: (1) the number of intromissions displayed during Phase 2 does not depend on the character of the copulatory behaviour displayed during Phase 1, (2) at least two intromissions are displayed before ejaculation, and (3) the tactile stimulation of the glans of penis plays a crucial role in the ejaculatory seminal reflex.