Description
TitlePartner preference and sexual performance in male goats, Capra hircus
Date Created
Other Date2009-10 (degree)
Extentxi, 105 p. : ill.
DescriptionSexual performance is a combination of the physical ability to mate and sexual motivation. An indirect measure of sexual motivation is partner preference, because sexual motivation can be stimulated by the presence of suitable mates. We hypothesized that the tail wagging behavior of female goats in estrus contributes to their incentive value, thus affecting partner preference and sexual performance in males. A previous study in our laboratory showed that flutamide, an androgen receptor antagonist, enhanced tail wagging in estrous females, as it did in the current studies. Partner preference testing was used in which sexually experienced males could choose between two females. Females were non-estrous (NE), estrous (E) or flutamide-treated estrous (EF). Males showed no preference for an E versus a NE female and preferred an EF female more than an E or a NE female. Males also visited the EF female the most. Tail wagging initiated male approach behaviors and maintained the attention of the male, therefore, tail wagging behavior is both attractive and proceptive. Furthermore, we hypothesized that exposure to females expressing high rates of tail wagging would arouse males, increasing sexual performance. Sexually experienced males observed different stimuli before a sexual performance test: an empty pen, or groups of three females that were all E, NE, EF, or non-estrous and treated with flutamide (NEF). Viewing EF females increased the number of ejaculations attained by males and decreased the latencies to first and second ejaculation, as well as the inter-ejaculatory interval. Viewing estrous females (E and EF), as compared to non-estrous females (NE and NEF), decreased the latency to first mount. Another study revealed that partner preference is dependent on the male’s hormonal state and not his sexual experience. Males were tested for partner preference with a choice of groups of E or NE females. Sexually naive castrates showed no preference. Sexually naive or experienced intact males and sexually naive TP-treated castrates preferred E females. Partner preference, however, is not a reliable indicator of sexual performance in male goats, as there were no significant correlations between sexual performance and partner preference for sexually naive or experienced males.
NotePh.D.
NoteIncludes bibliographical references (p. 94-104)
Noteby Andrea M. Haulenbeek
Genretheses, ETD doctoral
Languageeng
CollectionGraduate School - New Brunswick Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Organization NameRutgers, The State University of New Jersey
RightsThe author owns the copyright to this work