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Copulation and intermale aggression in rats.

D H Thor, K J Flannelly

    Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology
    |April 1, 1979
    PubMed
    Summary
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    Male rats remain aggressive towards intruders after ejaculation, showing that sexual insensitivity does not affect intermale aggression. Copulation can suppress aggression, but this effect lessens with increased sexual activity.

    Area of Science:

    • Ethology
    • Neurobiology of Social Behavior
    • Animal Behavior

    Background:

    • Male rodents exhibit complex social behaviors, including sexual and aggressive interactions.
    • The interplay between sexual satiety and aggressive motivation in male mammals is not fully understood.
    • Understanding these interactions is crucial for comprehending reproductive and competitive strategies.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the effect of post-ejaculatory states on intermale aggression in Long-Evans rats.
    • To examine how ongoing sexual activity influences the expression of aggression towards male intruders.
    • To explore the relationship between sexual and aggressive behavioral strategies in male rats.

    Main Methods:

    • Observing aggressive behaviors (biting attacks, wounding) of male rats towards intruders after copulation.

    Related Experiment Videos

  • Comparing aggression levels after single vs. multiple ejaculations and a non-copulatory control.
  • Assessing the impact of varying levels of sexual activity (intromissions, ejaculation intervals) on aggression in a second experiment.

    • Main Results:

    • Male rats displayed consistent attack behavior and wounding towards intruders regardless of the number of ejaculations post-copulation.
    • The post-ejaculatory refractory period did not inhibit intermale aggression.
    • Increased sexual activity (more intromissions, shorter ejaculation intervals) reduced the probability of male aggression and copulation interruption.

    Conclusions:

    • Post-ejaculatory insensitivity to sexual stimuli does not extend to aggression-eliciting stimuli in male rats.
    • Sexual and aggressive behaviors in male rats are regulated by distinct, though potentially interacting, mechanisms.
    • The findings provide insights into the strategic allocation of behavioral resources during mating and territorial defense.