Chapter 6: Female Mating Behavior

Estrus

Period when female mammals allow copulation.

Anestrus

Condition when female mammals are not in estrus.

Ovulation

Release of an egg, marking fertile window.

Estrous Cycle

Cycle of female fertility including estrus phase.

Pseudopregnancy

Luteal phase without actual pregnancy occurring.

Vaginal Cytology

Study of vaginal cells correlating with changes in ovarian function.
Researchers could correlate this without surgical examination of ovaries

Estrone

First isolated estrogen from pregnant women's urine.

Progesterone

Hormone supporting pregnancy, inhibiting sexual behavior.

Estrous Female

Female in estrus, seeking copulation actively.

Vasectomized Male

Male unable to fertilize, used in mating studies.

Mating Postures

Species-specific behaviors displayed by female vertebrates.

Copulatory Behavior

Mating actions coinciding with female ovulation.

Menstrual Cycle

Cycle in humans with no conception chance.

Sustained Copulation

Continued mating that disrupts normal estrous cycle.

Higher Primates

Group where ovulation does not coincide with progesterone.

Estrus-Generating Substance

Substance that induces the estrus phase in females.

Female Syrian Hamster

Example species with a 4-day estrous cycle.

Corpora Lutea

Ovarian structures involved in maintaining pregnancy.

Paternal Investment

Mating behavior linked to male care for offspring.

Female Attractiveness

Estrus females are more appealing to males.

Lordosis

Female mating posture with raised hindquarters and deflected tail.

Castration response

Increased gonadotropins after gonad removal.

Ovariectomy

Surgical removal of ovaries affecting sexual behavior.

Hypothalamus

Brain region detecting steroid hormones.

Androgen peak

Motivation to copulate linked to hormone levels.

Cytokines

Chemical messengers activating the immune system.

IL-1beta

Specific cytokine affecting female attractiveness.

Estrous cycle

Reproductive cycle in some primates influencing mating.

Attractivity

Stimulus value of a female for a male.

Proceptivity

Extent of female initiation of copulation.

Receptivity

Female's ability to elicit male ejaculation.

Estrogens

Hormones enhancing sexual behavior components.

Progestins

Hormones reducing sexual behavior components.

Behavioral test

Females press bar for male access in study.

Menstrual cycle

Cycle affecting female sexual behavior timing.

Three-chamber test

Preference test for male attraction to females.

Estradiol peak

Hormone peak coinciding with maximal sexual behavior.

Marmosets

Primates with clear estrous cycles.

Rhesus monkeys

Primates mating anytime without estrous cycle.

Female initiation

Females typically start sexual interactions in species.

Tactile stimulation

Physical contact triggering lordosis response.

Proceptivity

Appetitive behaviors shown by females towards males.

Estrous Females

Females most attractive and attracted to males.

Affiliative Behaviors

Efforts by females to maintain proximity to males.

Castrated Males

Less approached by females than intact males.

Midcycle Presentation

Highest female presentation to males during ovulation.

Receptivity

Consummatory phase necessary for fertile copulation.

Mating Posture

Species-specific female position during copulation.

Lordosis Quotient (LQ)

Measure of receptivity in rats during mating.

Rejection Coefficient

Measure of receptivity in dogs during mating.

Acceptance Ratio

Measure of receptivity in primates during mating.

Estrus

Period when females are sexually receptive.

Follicular Phase

Menstrual cycle phase before ovulation, high estrogen.

Luteal Phase

Menstrual cycle phase after ovulation, high progesterone.

Ovarian Cycle

Similar between rhesus monkeys and humans.

Follicle Development

Several follicles develop, usually one ovulates.

Fertilization

Occurs in fallopian tubes after ovulation.

Zygote

Single cell formed after fertilization of egg.

Blastocyst

Fluid-filled sphere developed from a zygote.

Hormonal Influence

Women's sexual activity peaks around ovulation.

Social Factors

Influence on female receptivity and proceptivity.

Behavioral Measures

Expressed as ratios of mating attempts to successes.

Blastocyst

Early stage of embryonic development with inner cell mass.

Placenta

Organ developing from blastocyst's external wall for nutrient exchange.

Progesterone

Hormone maintaining pregnancy; drops without fertilization.

Menstruation

Shedding of uterine lining when no pregnancy occurs.

LH (Luteinizing Hormone)

Hormone that triggers ovulation and corpus luteum formation.

FSH (Follicle-Stimulating Hormone)

Hormone stimulating ovarian follicle growth and estrogen secretion.

Estrogen

Hormone promoting female reproductive development and ovulation.

Positive Feedback

Mechanism where high estrogen increases LH and FSH levels.

Negative Feedback

Mechanism returning LH and FSH to baseline after ovulation.

Type 1 Cycle

Spontaneous ovulation and pseudopregnancy in females.

Type 2 Cycle

Induced ovulation by copulation; spontaneous pseudopregnancy.

Type 3 Cycle

Spontaneous ovulation; induced pseudopregnancy.

Estrous Cycle

Reproductive cycle in mammals, varies by ecological factors.

Postpartum Estrus

Period of fertility shortly after giving birth.

Whitten Effect

Estrus synchronization in female mice due to male odors.

Bruce Effect

Pregnant females abort fetuses exposed to non-sire males.

Vandenbergh Effect

Juvenile mice mature faster when exposed to adult males.

Luteal Phase

Days 19-28 of menstrual cycle after ovulation.

Fertile Days

Days 9-15 of menstrual cycle when ovulation occurs.

Lap Dance Earnings

Study measuring tips related to menstrual cycle phases.

Cycle Phase Interaction

Influence of hormonal contraception on menstrual cycle effects.