Sexual and reproductive behaviors.

The procedures described in this unit include testing procedures for male and female reproductive behaviors, gonadectomy, and hormonal treatments appropriate for inducing male and female reproductive behaviors. Because reproductive behaviors are social behaviors, and therefore require the presence of stimulus animals, the protocols in this unit also provide information on the preparation of stimulus animals. The protocols are written for use with laboratory rats, although a discussion of issues related to species differences in the study of reproductive behaviors is included.