Control of proceptive and receptive behavior by ovarian hormones in the Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus)

Two studies examined the roles of estrogen with progesterone and of estrogen alone on the proceptive and receptive behavior of female hamsters. Proceptivity was measured in terms of proximity (approaching, leaving, and following by the female) and in time spent sniffing the male partner. During the 4-day natural estrous cycle, these measures change systematically although lordosis is seen only on Day 1 (estrus). With a constant dose of progesterone, both proceptive and receptive behavior were found to be estrogen dose dependent in ovariectomized females. At estrogen levels too low to induce lordosis, changes in proceptive behavior were seen; at the two highest levels of estrogen, lordosis was maximal but proceptive behavior continued to increase. With estrogen alone, levels of proceptive behavior were attained characteristic both of estrus and of the higher estrogen and progesterone dosage but were not accompanied by spontaneous lordosis. Factors indicating that proceptivity and receptivity may be under separate hormonal and neural control are discussed.