Hormonal Influences on Female Sex Behavior
In many mammalian species, females show precopulatory and copulatory behaviors at specific times during their reproductive cycle.
estrus: refers to the day in which ovulation occurs
behavioral estrus: refers to the period of time during which female shows precopulatory and copulatory behaviors (AKA--“behavioral heat”)
estrus cycle: series of ovarian events that determines when an animal comes into estrus
In females that ovulate spontaneously, the duration of an ovarian cycle can vary:
- 4 days: mice, rats and hamsters
- 16 days: guinea pigs
- 28 days: humans