URINE MARKING AND SEXUAL-BEHAVIOR IN THE RAT (RATTUS-NORVEGICUS)

The relationship between urine-marking behavior and sexual behavior of rats (Rattus norvegicus) was examined in this experiment. The results demonstrate that urination occurred prior to mating, as the male explored the cage, following the introduction of the female into the testing situation, but never during active mating. Following ejaculation, urination was temporally related to the post-ejaculatory vocalization; however, vocalizations and urination rarely, if ever, occurred simultaneously. These results suggest that urine marking may serve to coordinate mating in rats. © 1979 Academic Press, Inc.