Reproductive Behavior

Question 1

Intromission

Answer 1

Entrance of penis into vagina

Question 2

Refractory period

Answer 2

Time after ejaculation before another can occur

Question 3

Flehmen response

Answer 3

-Lifting of the lip so the nostrils are plugged
-Suction is created in the nasopalatine duct: Fluids can be aspirated

Question 4

Pheromone

Answer 4

-Volatile substance secreted or released to outside of body
-Perceived by olfactory system and/or vomeronasal organ

Question 5

Vomeronasal organ

Answer 5

-Accessory olfactory organ
-Connected to 2 small openings in anterior roof of the mouth: Nasopalatine ducts
-Allows examination of less volatile materials

Question 6

Emission

Answer 6

-Movement of seminal fluids from accessory sex glands into pelvic urethra
-Occurs before / during ejaculation

Question 7

Know the purpose of reproductive behavior.

Answer 7

-Promote the opportunity for copulation
-Increase the probability that the sperm and egg will meet
-Ultimate goal is pregnancy.

Question 8

Know the general characteristics of female reproductive behavior and some of the signs that females exhibit during estrus.

Answer 8

-Confined to estrus in most species
-Increase in physical activity (locomotion) during estrus
-Lordosis (Mating posture): Extremely PROMINENT in sows and is major sign of estrus in sows

Question 9

Know the stages of female reproductive behavior and what happens during each stage.

Answer 9

-Attractivity: Serve to attract males
-Proceptivity: Stimulate the male to copulate
-Receptivity: Copulatory behavior of females and ensures insemination

Question 10

Know the sensory inputs that are involved in reproductive behavior

Answer 10

-Olfaction
-Vision
-Audition
-Tactility

Question 11

Know the general characteristics of male reproductive behavior.

Answer 11

-Male is capable of initiating reproductive behavior anytime after puberty
-Male doesn’t initiate courtship
-Male constantly searching for signals from the female: Using most senses

Question 12

Know the stages of male reproductive behavior.

Answer 12

-Precopulatory
-Copulatory
-Postcopulatory

Question 13

Precopulatory

Answer 13

-Search for partner
-Courtship: Sniffing vulva and flehmen response
-Sexual arousal: Sight may be most important
-Erection
-Penile protrusion

Question 14

Copulatory

Answer 14

-Mounting: Immobilization of female and elevation of front legs of male
-Intromission
-Ejaculation: Expulsion of semen into female tract, Emission happens at this time

Question 15

Postcopulatory

Answer 15

-Dismount
-Refractory period: Second copulation will not take place
-Memory: Positive and Negative

Question 16

Know the factors that affect the length of the refractory period.

Answer 16

-Degree of sexual rest
-Age
-Species
-Degree of female novelty
-Number of previous ejaculations

Question 17

Know the sensory inputs that are involved in reproductive behavior

Answer 17

-Olfaction
-Vision
-Audition
-Tactility

Question 18

Know the process involved in penile erection and protrusion including the structures involved.

Answer 18

-Vasodilation
-Increased rigidity
-Relaxation of retractor penis muscle
-Erection

Question 19

Vasodilation

Answer 19

-Engorges Corpus Cavernosum
-Inhibit vasoconstriction

Question 20

Increased rigidity

Answer 20

-Increased arterial inflow in comparison to venous outflow.
-Contractions of ischiocavernosus muscles: Compression of penile veins

Question 21

What species have relaxation of retractor penis muscle

Answer 21

-Bull
-Ram
-Boar

Question 22

Erection

Answer 22

-Neural, cerebral and spinal
-Arousal driven: Erotogenic stimuli
-Vasomotor
-Parasympathetic neurons
~Nitric oxide
~Helical arterioles dilate and corporal sinusoids swell
~Smooth muscle of Corpus Spongiosum (CS) relax
~Sub-tunical Veins compressed
~Ischiocavernosus muscle contracts

Question 23

Know the process of ejaculation including the structures and muscles involved.

Answer 23

-Emission
-Ejaculation

Question 24

Emission

Answer 24

-Deposition of seminal fluid into the urethra
-Oxytocin from the posterior pituitary and stimulation of sympathetic neurons in the glans penis: Releases accessory gland fluid and contracts muscles
-Cauda Epididymis and Vas Deferens

Question 25

Ejaculation

Answer 25

-Stimulation of sensory neurons in glans penis cause coordinated contractions
-Bulbospongiosus
-Pelvic urethral striated muscles

Question 26

Know how sildenafil causes the desired effect.

Answer 26

-cGMP is broken down by phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5)
-Sildenafil is an inhibitor of PDE5
-cGMP remains elevated and thereby the erection continues

Question 27

Know how the brain is defeminized/masculinized during prenatal development.

Answer 27

-Females: Estradiol is present in the fetal body but cannot enter the brain due to alpha-fetoprotein, Little exposure to estradiol results in feminization
-Males: High levels of testosterone in fetus, Alpha-fetoprotein cannot bind to testosterone, Testosterone is converted to estradiol in the brain

Question 28

Know the role of the CNS and estradiol in reproductive behavior.

Answer 28

-Testosterone converted to estradiol in brain
-Estradiol promotes reproductive behavior: Both male and female, Relatively constant supply allowing male to initiate behavior anytime
-Primary sensory inputs: Olfaction, Vision, Audition, and Tactility