Hormones and sexual behavior associated with postconception perineal swelling in the sooty mangabey (cercocebus torquatus atys)

• Published in: International journal of primatology Vol. 12; no. 6; pp. 585 - 597
• Main Authors: GORDON, T. P, GUST, D. A, BUSSE, C. D, WILSON, M. E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Kluwer Academic/Plenum 01-12-1991
• Subjects: Animal ethology; Biological and medical sciences; Cercocebus torquatus atys; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Hormones; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Sexual behaviour; Vertebrata; Mammalia; Estrus; Swelling; Sexual behavior; Primates; Ovarian hormone
• ISSN: 0164-0291; 1573-8604
• DOI: 10.1007/BF02547671

Three studies were conducted with female sooty mangabeys to describe the occurrence of perineal swelling during pregnancy and to document the associated patterns of ovarian hormone secretion and sexual behavior. Menstrual cycles and pregnancies were charted in 29 female subjects by recording daily vaginal bleeding and perineal swelling. As in other swelling species, maximum perineal tumescence corresponded with the periovulatory phase of the cycle; however, a second tumescence was recorded during pregnancy, with a peak at 49 days postconception. The swelling patterns were similar with the exception that deturgescence was slower during pregnancy. In a second study, increased estradiol concentrations and low progesterone levels in association with the postconception swelling. In a third study, although there was no overall difference in male mount rate to females during the ovulatory and postconception maximum swelling period, when only the alpha male was considered, significantly fewer mounts were directed to females exhibiting a postconception versus an ovulatory maximum tumescence.