Characterization of 50-kHz ultrasonic vocalizations in male and female rats

Abstract

Male and female rats emit ultrasonic vocalizations in reproductive encounters. While estrous bedding has been used to elicit vocalizations of males, the number of responses is variable. We report a reliable method to assess vocalizations using exposure to a stimulus animal. The stimulus rat is placed behind a wire barrier for 5 min, then removed. Vocalizations are then recorded for 5 min. Experiment 1 validated this method and it was used for subsequent experiments. In Experiment 2, male rats were castrated and tested for the restoration of vocalizations. In one group, males were allowed to copulate freely; in the other, females had vaginal masks to prevent ejaculation, but not mounting. Vocalizations were restored only in males allowed to ejaculate. In Experiment 3, we measured vocalizations in sexually naı̈ve and sexually experienced males following exposure to either castrated (CAS) males, testosterone (T)-treated males, ovariectomized (OVX) females, or OVX females receiving estrogen plus progesterone (E+P). Males vocalized most after exposure to E+P females, whether they were sexually experienced or naive. However, the rate of vocalizations was significantly higher after exposure to E+P females when the males were sexually experienced. In Experiment 4, we measured vocalizations in females following exposure to CAS males, T-treated males, OVX females, or E+P females. Females vocalized most after exposure to T-treated males. Our results show that (1) sexual experience facilitates vocalizations in male rats, (2) vocalizations are highest after exposure to hormonally receptive conspecifics, and (3) ultrasonic signaling is a sensitive index for assessing the hormonal disposition of conspecifics.