title: Sexual behavior of male pigs.
abstract: Two major characteristics of males that affect the likelihood of achieving copulation are the sexual motivation and mating competency of the male. The behavior of domestic animals, including their sexual behavior, is dependent upon a complex interaction between the organism's internal and external environment. In male pigs, as in other mammalian species, it is clear that testicular steroids are required to maintain sexual behavior and testosterone plays a critical role. Consistent with studies in other species, it is apparent in male pigs that there is a threshold circulating concentration of androgens and/or estrogens required to maintain sexual behavior and that the level of sexual motivation is unrelated to levels of sex steroids providing these are adequate for normal sexual behavior. Key aspects of the external environment that affect the sexual behavior of the male pig include genetic, seasonal, social, sexual and psychological factors.
authors.affiliation: Animal Welfare Science Centre, Faculty of Land and Food Resources, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia. phh@unimelb.edu.au
authors.forename: P H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Hemsworth
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Tilbrook
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006728:Hormones / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D012621:Seasons; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D013045:Species Specificity; D013552:Swine / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology*
chemical_list: D006728:Hormones