A polygraphic analysis of mounting and ejaculation in the New Zealand white rabbit

The duration and intensity of some components of the male copulatory pattern was studied in ten male (seven experienced, three inexperienced) and two female New Zealand white rabbits by using high speed cinematography, accelerometry and by recording the pressure of the seminal vesicles. Duration of mounts varied greatly within and among subjects. Effective mounts, i.e., those terminating in ejaculation, lasted less (2.61 +/- 1.50 sec, mean +/- SD; n, 59) than ineffective mounts (3.08 +/- 2.16 sec, mean +/- SD; n, 199). Frequency of pelvic thrusting was significantly higher in effective (13.54 +/- 1.11 sec, mean +/- SD; n, 59) than in ineffective mounts (12.08 +/- 0.98 sec, mean +/- SD; n, 176). No pelvic thrusting occurred during intromission which usually lasted less than one second (722 +/- 266 msec SD; n, 43). Shortly after intromission (230 +/- 107 msec, mean +/- SD; n, 32) the pressure of the seminal vesicles raised. This rise in pressure outlasted copulation (1040 +/- 369 msec, mean +/- SD; n, 32). The mounting pattern of inexperienced rabbits was similar to that of experienced rabbits. The mounting pattern of females differed from that of males both in rate of pelvic thrusting and duration of pelvic thrusts.