Species Differences: Male Sex Behavior
In rats (and hamsters):
- estrogen is critical for activating copulation--mounts, intromissions and ejaculations )
- dihydrotestosterone is critical for penile reflexes
In some species (lizards, mice &guinea pigs):
- dihydrotestosterone can stimulate male sex behavior
In ferrets:
- testosterone plays selective role in sexual motivation
In primates:
- testosterone may also have a selective effect on sex behavior not mediated by estrogen or dihydrotestosterone