Assessment of sexual behavior in rats: the potentials and pitfalls

Assessment of sexual behavior in rats: the potentials and pitfalls. Roy Heijkoop, Patty T. Huijgens , Eelke M.S Snoeren. Behavioural Brain Research, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbr.2017.10.029

Highlights
•    Review of potentials and pitfalls of animal models in rat sexual behavior.
•    Sexual incentive motivation is studied in a different test than sexual behavior.
•    Essential to use the appropriate model for the topic of investigation.
•    Important to be critical of the interpretation of results

Abstract: In the field of behavioral neuroscience, it is essential to use the appropriate animal models for the topic of investigation. The danger of using the wrong model can result in false interpretation of the results. In this review we will discuss the animal models used to study sexual behavior, with a focus on rats. We will discuss the potentials and pitfalls of the different paradigms and try to make recommendations on how research in this field could be optimized. Both male and female sexual behavior are discussed, in addition to sexual motivation.

Keywords: sexual behavior; incentive motivation; behavioral paradigm; rat; female; male