The influence of estrogen, testosterone and progesterone on partner preference, receptivity and proceptivity

The influence of Estradiol benzoate (EB), Testosterone propionate (TP) and Progesterone (P) on the female's partner preference for sexually active males was investigated and compared to levels of receptive and proceptive behaviors observed in a tethered male test situation. Doses of EB (1 micrograms), TP (500 micrograms) and P were selected on the basis of previous investigations indicating that female rats treated with these dosages will show comparable levels of lordosis behavior. The results indicate that TP stimulates partner preference for sexually active males over estrous females in ovariectomized female rats. Females treated with EB tended to prefer the company of sexually active males more than Oil-treated females and less and TP-treated females. However, preference behavior of EB-treated females was not significantly different from that of Oil- or TP-treated females. Additional treatment with P (100 micrograms) did not influence partner preference of Oil-, EB- or TP-treated females. In the tethered male tests, P stimulated proceptivity of EB- or TP-treated females and receptivity of EB-treated females. Significant differences in proceptive and receptive behaviors between EB- or TP-treated were not found. Although facilitation of receptive and in particular, proceptive behaviors were found to be generally accompanied by an increased partner preference for males, it is concluded that gonadal hormones are differentially affecting aspects of female rat sexuality: Relative to the activation of receptive behavior, TP was found to be more effective (than EB) to increase preference for a male; P (given to EB- or TP-treated females) was found to stimulate receptive and proceptive behaviors considerably, while being ineffective to stimulate preference for a male.