Humans, laboratory rats, and mice are mammals whose sexual behavior is regulated in large part by hormones. However, these species’ hormonal control of sexual behavior differs significantly from one another. The hormone testosterone, which is produced by the testes in men and the ovaries in females, plays a significant role in controlling sexual behavior in laboratory rats and mice (Carlson & Birkett, 2020). In men, testosterone encourages sexual arousal and starts the mounting and intromission phases of mating. Testosterone affects females’ receptivity to male overtures and raises the possibility of copulation. In addition to testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, and oxytocin also have an impact on how sexual behavior is regulated in rats and mice.
The control of sexual behavior in humans is more nuanced and multifaceted. While testosterone is an essential factor in both male and female sexual development and function, it is not the only factor that affects sexual behavior (Panksepp, 1975). Instead, sexual behavior in people is influenced by a complex interplay of social, psychological, and cultural factors. Human sexual behavior, for instance, is impacted by societal standards, cultural views of sex, and personal sexual preferences (Beach, 1947). Sexual desire and function can also be affected by psychological issues like stress, worry, and depression. Additionally, the human sexual process may be hampered by hormone imbalances or physical problems.
In addition, unlike laboratory rats and mice, which predominantly engage in sexual behavior for reproductive objectives, human sexual behavior is not restricted to that. Intimacy, pleasure, and emotional bonding are other reasons why people engage in sexual conduct. In conclusion, although hormones are essential for controlling sexual behavior in both humans and other mammals, there are important distinctions in how they do so. The primary hormone controlling sexual behavior in rats and mice is testosterone, whereas, in humans, a complex interaction of social, psychological, and cultural elements is also significant.
References
Beach, F. A. (1947). Evolutionary changes in the physiological control of mating behavior in mammals. Psychological Review, 54(6), 297-315.
Carlson, N. R., & Birkett, M. A. (2020). Foundations of behavioral neuroscience. Pearson Higher Ed.
Panksepp, J. (1975). Metabolic hormones and regulation of feeding: A reply to Woods, Decke, and Vasselli. Psychological Review, 82(2), 158–164.