Experimental Control of Psychosexuality [and Discussion]

The effects of hormones upon the development of behavioural characteristics have been reviewed extensively in the past few years (Young, Goy & Phoenix 1964; Levine & Mullins 1966; Goy 1966; Phoenix, Resko & Goy 1968; Whalen 1968). Much of the information contained in these reviews is limited to two species of rodents (rat and guinea-pig). A limitation which perhaps has greater consequences for theoretical considerations is the restriction of information to a set of behavioural traits requiring hormonal activation in adulthood before they can be displayed by the individual. An analogous situation in classical reproductive physiology would be the study of the effects of neonatal or foetal hormone treatments upon the development of prostatic secretory activity. In such a study, the prostate would remain non-secretory unless activated by the appropriate and essential hormones supplied during adulthood either by the gonad or by injection. The behavioural traits most extensively studied have been of a similar nature and include testosterone-dependent responses of the male sexual repertoire like mounting, intromission, and ejaculation or oestrogen-progesterone dependent responses of the female such as oestrous mounting activity and lordosis.