Chapter 9 provides an overview of reproductive behavior, which includes sexual and parental behavior. The opening chapter section describes the development of the internal and external genitals and the changes noted during sexual maturation. The second chapter section discusses the hormonal control of sexual behavior including organizational effects and activational effects. The third chapter section notes that a number of brain regions play critical roles in male and female sexual behavior, including the preoptic region in males and the ventromedial hypothalamic region in females. The final chapter section discusses the neural and hormonal influences on parental behaviors.

After completing the chapter, each student should be able to:

• Define the term sexually dimorphic.
• Explain how the 23^rd pair of chromosomes determine sex.
• Differentiate the three categories of sex organs.
• Explain functions of the gonads.
• Describe the two means by which hormones affect sexual development.
• Contrast the Mullerian and Wolffian systems.
• Explain the hormonal events that are required to develop the Wolffian system.
• Explain what is meant by masculizining and defeminizing effects of hormones.
• Contrast the androgen insensitivity syndrome with the persistent Mullerian duct syndrome.
• Explain the statement "Nature’s impulse is to create a female".
• Describe the cascade of hormonal secretion that occurs after puberty.
• Differentiate menstrual cycles from estrous cycles.
• Explain how gonadotropin secretion results in a menstrual cycle.
• Describe the essential features that comprise male sexual behavior.
• Define refractory period for male sexual behavior.
• Describe the effects of oxytocin and prolactin on male sexual behavior.
• Define the three classes of effects of estradiol and progesterone on female sexual behavior.
• Explain how the organizational effects of androgen exposure (behavioral defeminization and behavioral masculinization) may actually reflect activation of estrogen receptors.
• Define the term pheromone.
• Contrast the Lee-Boot, Whitten, Vandernbergh, and Bruce pheromone effects.
• Explain the role played by the vomeronasal organ in pheromone effects.
• Contrast the role of ovarian hormones in sexual behavior of rodents versus primates.
• Summarize the literature as to the effects of ovarian hormone on female primate sexual activity.
• Describe the relation between testosterone level and male sexual activity.
• Explain the potential causes of homosexuality.
• Describe the congenital adrenal hyperplasia syndrome.
• Describe the androgen insensitivity syndrome including social behavior.
• Describe the differences in brain anatomy between males and females.