Lordosis behaviour

Hormonal control of mating behaviour is well documented in animals. In rats, estrogen and, to a lesser extent, progesterone control lordosis behaviour via the central nervous system (CNS). In female non-human primates, attractiveness and proceptivity change during the menstrual cycle or as a result of sex steroid administration. The effects of hormones on receptivity are unclear. It is assumed that steroid hormones influence behaviour in humans as they do in animals however, it is difficult to differentiate the effects of social and other environmental factors from the effects of sex steroids on mating behaviour in humans. 

Keller M, Pierman S, Douhard Q, Baum MJ, Bakker J (2006) The vomeronasal organ is required for the expression of lordosis behaviour, but not sex discrimination in female mice. Eur J Neurosci 23 521-530... 

Fig. 5.8(b) VN-x and releasing hormone effects on female receptive behaviour facilitation by LHRH and latency to tactile induction of lordosis in hamster (latency duration, sec.). LHRH restores responsiveness over saline control (from Mackay-Sim and Rose, 1986). 

Loss of proceptive behaviour also follows VN-x in female rats, in which the receptive posture (lordosis) is almost abolished (Saito and Moltz, 1986). Estrous cycles with receptivity were still maintained, since males given extended access to VN-x females inseminate them successfully. 

Sexual behaviour Lordosis, time to mating, vaginal plugs or sperm... 

A behavioural syndrome, consisting of repetitive head movements, treading with the forepaws ( piano playing ), lordosis, tremor and hyperthermia, in mice after 5-HTP can be used for the same purpose [15]. These behavioural elements are mediated not only by 5-HT but also via dopaminergic pathways. 

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