Physiological studies on female sexual behaviour of some Egyptian rats

This investigation was carried out under the supervision of Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; MOSHTOHOR,ZAGAZIG University.The aim was to study some aspects of sexual be- haviour of the female field rat.The experiment extended from IVIay 1986 to December 1989. ,It included 450 rat, males and females of different ages of both Rattus rattus and Rattusnorve gi cus.The first generations were catched from stores, fields, stables and poultry farm. After sexing ,, . .,eighing and specifying, they were caged in labelledrat-breeding cages, individually, in pairs and in groups.They were noticed with special interest to growth, be-havioural ,reproductive and nutritional aspects. The consumed food and water were estimated •The food preference was noted. Dates of copulation and labour was recorded.The litter number, weight and development were followed up to death.The ovaries,uteriweresampled ,prepared stained and pictured to follow changes~til puberty and after puberty.The reproductive cycle wi th its different phases vias recogni sed by vaginal smears •