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Related Concept Videos

Criticisms of the Evolutionary Perspective01:23

Criticisms of the Evolutionary Perspective

In a study where individuals posing as strangers offered compliments and proposed casual sex to students, the responses differed significantly based on gender. Not a single woman accepted the proposal, while 70% of the men agreed. This outcome provides a useful scenario to explore through the lens of evolutionary psychology and social learning theory, highlighting the diverse perspectives on human sexual behaviors.
Evolutionary psychology provides one explanation for these findings, suggesting...
Male Sexual Response: Erection & Ejaculation01:17

Male Sexual Response: Erection & Ejaculation

Sexual stimulation can take various forms, such as physical touch and visual or auditory cues. When this happens, the parasympathetic reflex in the sacral portion of the spinal cord is activated. This reflex stimulates the release of nitric oxide (NO), which then dilates the arterioles in the penis, increasing blood flow to the erectile tissues - the corpora cavernosa and corpus spongiosum.
The blood filling the erectile tissues compresses the veins, which helps to prevent blood from leaving...
Mate Choice01:20

Mate Choice

Mate choice—the decision about whom to mate with—is a type of natural selection, since animals must reproduce to pass down their genes. Mate choice is also called intersexual selection because the behavior occurs between the sexes.
Natural Selection and Mating Preferences01:06

Natural Selection and Mating Preferences

The principle of natural selection posits that organisms better adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce. This principle is closely intertwined with mating preferences, a key aspect of sexual selection, which evolutionary psychologists believe is driven by instincts to propagate one's genes. Such instincts significantly influence mating behaviors and preferences between genders.
Females, due to their biological roles in conception, pregnancy, and nursing, inherently...
Disorders of the Male Reproductive System01:20

Disorders of the Male Reproductive System

Men's health issues are increasingly recognized as significant, with several conditions posing common threats. Among these, testicular cancer is especially prevalent in younger men, particularly those aged 20 to 35 years. The disease often manifests as a painless mass in the testicles, sometimes accompanied by a sensation of heaviness or a dull ache.
Prostate disorders are another major concern. These conditions can impair urinary flow due to the prostate's location around the urethra. Symptoms...
Fixed Action Patterns01:06

Fixed Action Patterns

A fixed action pattern (FAP) is a specific, hard-wired sequence of behaviors that occurs in response to an external stimulus, called a sign stimulus. The behavior is “fixed” because it is essentially unchangeable—proceeding similarly across individuals of a species every time it occurs.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 8, 2026

Assessment of Sexual Behavior of Male Mice
04:38

Assessment of Sexual Behavior of Male Mice

Published on: March 5, 2020

Variation in male sexual behavior.

Larry S Katz1

  • 1Department of Animal Sciences, Rutgers University, 84 Lipman Drive, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA. katz@aesop.rutgers.edu

Animal Reproduction Science
|December 25, 2007
PubMed
Summary

Natural selection relaxation in male ruminants has increased variation in sexual traits, leading to "dud" males that impact animal agriculture. Early identification and culling of poor performers and selection of high performers are crucial for livestock management.

Area of Science:

  • Animal reproduction and genetics
  • Livestock management and animal agriculture

Background:

  • Natural selection on sexual performance traits in male ruminants has relaxed.
  • This relaxation has increased phenotypic variation in heritable sexual traits.
  • Sub-standard sexual performance in males leads to continued reproduction, creating a costly "dud" phenomenon in animal agriculture.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the "dud" phenomenon in male ruminants resulting from relaxed natural selection.
  • To emphasize the economic costs associated with sub-standard sexual performance in livestock.
  • To advocate for research into early identification and management strategies for male sexual performance.

Main Methods:

  • This study is a review and synthesis of existing research on sexual selection and its relaxation in ruminants.

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Assessment of Sexual Behavior of Male Mice
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  • It analyzes the implications of increased phenotypic variation in sexual performance traits.
  • It discusses the economic impact on animal agriculture.

    • Main Results:

    • Relaxed natural selection has led to a wider range of sexual performance in male ruminants.
    • Males with lower sexual performance continue to reproduce, impacting herd genetics and productivity.
    • The "dud" phenomenon represents a significant economic challenge for the animal agriculture industry.

    Conclusions:

    • Early identification and culling of males with sub-standard sexual performance are critical for improving livestock management.
    • Identifying and promoting high-performing males is essential for genetic advancement.
    • Increased research priority is needed to develop effective strategies for managing male sexual performance in ruminants.