Ejaculate disruption in two species of voles (Microtus): on the PEI matching law

J Comp Psychol. 1992 Dec;106(4):383-7. doi: 10.1037/0735-7036.106.4.383.

Abstract

We permitted male prairie and montane voles (Microtus ochrogaster and M. montanus) five thrusts, without ejaculation, with a female at variable times after a 1st male ejaculated. In both prairie and montane voles, there were fewer sperm, in relation to control conditions, in the female's tract 1 hr after ejaculation if the female received thrusts immediately or 15 min after the ejaculate. There was no such effect after a 50-min delay. There was no significant decrease in litter production in prairie voles caused by thrusts delivered either immediately or after a 15-min delay. Sperm transport in these species is susceptible to disruption for a longer period than in deer mice or rats. The proposal that the postejaculatory interval protects a male from disrupting its own sperm transport (the PEI matching law) appears not to hold for these species.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Arvicolinae / physiology*
  • Copulation / physiology*
  • Ejaculation / physiology*
  • Female
  • Male
  • Sperm Count*
  • Sperm Transport / physiology*