Neurobiology of Male Sexual Behavior

TY - CHAP

T1 - Neurobiology of Male Sexual Behavior

AU - Hull, Elaine M.

AU - Wood, Ruth I.

AU - McKenna, Kevin E.

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

PY - 2005/1/1

Y1 - 2005/1/1

N2 - This chapter discusses the neurobiology of male sexual behavior. Sexual behavior in animals, including the courtship that precedes it, is characterized by enormous diversity. This diversity assures that mating will occur with the optimal partner at the most appropriate time and place, in order to pass parental genotypes onto the next generation. Male animals use species-specific displays to advertise their fitness and suitability as a partner. As they approach the female, they also gain information about her desirability and willingness to mate. In rodents, both partners may emit ultrasonic vocalizations, which are mutually arousing. A receptive female typically remains immobile while the male approaches from her rear, clasps her flanks with his forepaws, and initiates a series of shallow thrusts with his pelvis. Intromission is the defining event of copulation. If the male detects the female's vagina, he will perform a deeper, intravaginal thrust, followed by a rapid, springing dismount. This behavior pattern is reliably associated with penile insertion and is used as the measure of intromission in rats and many other rodents. Most male mammals ejaculate only after receiving stimulation from multiple intromissions. Ejaculation is characterized behaviorally by a deeper, longer thrust, and a slow, relaxed dismount. Rhythmic contractions of skeletal and striated perineal muscles, including the bulbospongiosus, ischiocavernosus, and anal sphincter, usually accompany ejaculation. In human males and females, such muscle contractions are associated with orgasm, the subjective correlate of the culmination of sexual excitement.

AB - This chapter discusses the neurobiology of male sexual behavior. Sexual behavior in animals, including the courtship that precedes it, is characterized by enormous diversity. This diversity assures that mating will occur with the optimal partner at the most appropriate time and place, in order to pass parental genotypes onto the next generation. Male animals use species-specific displays to advertise their fitness and suitability as a partner. As they approach the female, they also gain information about her desirability and willingness to mate. In rodents, both partners may emit ultrasonic vocalizations, which are mutually arousing. A receptive female typically remains immobile while the male approaches from her rear, clasps her flanks with his forepaws, and initiates a series of shallow thrusts with his pelvis. Intromission is the defining event of copulation. If the male detects the female's vagina, he will perform a deeper, intravaginal thrust, followed by a rapid, springing dismount. This behavior pattern is reliably associated with penile insertion and is used as the measure of intromission in rats and many other rodents. Most male mammals ejaculate only after receiving stimulation from multiple intromissions. Ejaculation is characterized behaviorally by a deeper, longer thrust, and a slow, relaxed dismount. Rhythmic contractions of skeletal and striated perineal muscles, including the bulbospongiosus, ischiocavernosus, and anal sphincter, usually accompany ejaculation. In human males and females, such muscle contractions are associated with orgasm, the subjective correlate of the culmination of sexual excitement.

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U2 - 10.1016/B978-012515400-0/50038-5

DO - 10.1016/B978-012515400-0/50038-5

M3 - Chapter

AN - SCOPUS:85147613520

SP - 1729

EP - 1824

BT - Knobil and Neill's Physiology of Reproduction

PB - Elsevier

ER -