The display of paced mating behavior in a rat model of endometriosis

Endometriosis is a disorder associated with chronic pelvic pain and ill effects on women's sexual health. The present study examined the effects of pelvic endometriotic implants on the display of paced mating behavior in female rats. Approximately 2 months after the surgical induction of endometriosis, rats were tested for paced mating behavior during proestrus (Experiment 1) or after bilateral ovariectomy and hormone replacement (Experiment 2). Although endometriotic implants were confirmed at autopsy, rats with surgical endometriosis in both experiments exhibited normal patterns of paced mating behavior. The positive relationship between implant material and contact-return latency following ejaculation in Experiment 2 suggests that the sensitivity to vigorous mating stimulation may be influenced by endometriosis.

► Sexual behavior was examined in rats with endometriotic implants. ► Rats with endometriotic implants exhibited normal patterns of paced mating behavior. ► Amount of implant material predicted contact-return latency following ejaculation. ► Sensitivity to vigorous mating stimulation may be influenced by endometriosis.