Female Reproductive Cycle

Question 1

What is “attractivity”?

Answer 1

The stimulus value of the female for a given male.

Question 2

What is “proceptivity”?

Answer 2

The extent to which females initiate copulation; reflecting overt behavior as well as the underlying motivational state.

Question 3

What is “receptivity”?

Answer 3

The stimulus value of the female for eliciting an intravaginal ejaculation from a male conspecific; the state of responsiveness to the sexual behaviors of another individual.

Question 4

What is a Type 1 reproductive cycle?

Answer 4

Ovulation and pseudopregnancy are spontaneous.

i.e. Humans and Primates

Question 5

What is a Type 2 reproductive cycle?

Answer 5

Ovulation is induced by copulation or other vaginal stimulation, but pseudopregnancy is spontaneous.
i.e. Cats and Ferrets

Question 6

What is Type 3 reproductive cycle?

Answer 6

Both ovulation and corpora luteal formation are spontaneous, but pseudopregnancy is induced via the release of prolactin following copulation. There is no functional luteal phase in non-pregnant cycles.
i.e. Rats, Mice and Hamsters

Question 7

What are the general affects of estrogens on attractivity, proceptivity and receptivity?

Answer 7

Estrogens generally enhance

Question 8

What are the general affects of progestins on attractivity, proceptivity and receptivity?

Answer 8

Progestins generally reduce

Question 9

What brain sites are essential for lordosis?

Answer 9

Ventromedial nuclei of the hypothalamus (VMN) and their afferent and efferent fibers.
Midbrain ascending ventral noradrenergic bundle (VNAB).
Medullary reticular formation in the brain stem.