Lack of effect of bilateral removal of accessory sex glands on sexual behaviour in the male golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus)

Abstract

In the golden hamster removal of the male accessory sex glands (ASG) may impair fertility because of heavy embryonic wastage. As in the rat, induction of pregnancy and parturition in this species depends on adequate vaginocervical stimulation exerted by the stud at the time of mating. It is possible that embryos fail to develop because of adverse effects on copulatory behaviour consequent upon the absence of accessory sex glands and their associated neural input. The aim of the present study was to test this hypothesis. The results showed that intromission latency, ejaculation latency, intromission frequency, interval of ejaculatory series, postejaculatory pause, ejaculatory frequency and duration of ejaculation were not affected by bilateral section of ampullary glands, coagulating glands, dorsolateral prostate, seminal vesicles, ventral prostate or all of the ASG. It was also concluded that none of the ASG function in the elicitation of sexual behaviour in this species.