No abstract

Normative data on the fate of ejaculatory plugs were collected following a total of 162 ejaculations attained by 18 male rats each given three tests. Sixty -nine percent of the plugs were dislodged, 82% of these after three or fewer intromissions. Males ate a total of 65% of the plugs, whereas females ate none. More than half of the plugs consumed were consumed between the time of dislodging and the next intromission. Plug consumption is a behavioral pattern appropriate for further study.

The behavioral patterns accompanying the copulatory behavior of nine male rats with no prior adult copulatory experience were compared with those of nine males that had experienced four prior tests. Age was controlled. Effects of experience on standard measures of copulatory behavior were similar to those in earlier work. There were no significant differences in other behavioral patterns as a function of experience. Thus, the tendency to display various behavioral patterns during copulatory activity appears completely formed prior to the first such activity and generally unaffected by adult copulatory experience.