currelltly not for sale over-the-counter. In significant doses, cantharidin can cause health p1·oblems. It has been reported in the French literature that “Spanish Fly” had bem incorporated into a plate of pears that was consumed by the groom on his wedding night. uW/zen the night came, the husband embraced his wife so much that she began to suffer ex-
haustion.” These delights quickly changed to misfortune because “the man began to experience the effects of cantharidin in- flammation by midnight. He had difficulty urinating, saw a discharge from his penis, became frightened and fainted more than once. Considerable effort was made to re- store his health. ”
The Chinese apparently have been search- ing throughout the course of histmy for a Viagra-like compound. For example, ashes from homets or wasps’ nests were mixed with water and wine and ingested. This mix- ture was also applied to the penis foJ’ sexual stimulation to cure erectile dysfunction and to increase daily sperm output.
Dragonflies and silkworms were believed to increase penile turgidity and prevent ejaculation. The latter effect was believed to lengthen the duration of copulation.
Scale insects and stinkbugs were considered by the Chinese as aphrodisiacs. Consump- tion of scale insects was also believed to be a cure for amenorrhea.
The Chinese believed egg cases from the praying mantis had several beneficial effects such as prevention of nocturnal emissions, premature ejaculation, male weakness and impotence.
The word “aphrodisiac” is derived from the name of the Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite.
In 1848, a physician named Frederick Hollick published a book entitled, The Male Generative Organs-Health and Disease (rom Infancv to Old Age that undoubtedly received more attention than the reproductive physiology books of the day. It was marketed uFor Every Man’s Private Use”. Not only did this book deal with the anatomy and physiology of the male genitalia, it dealt extensively with recipes and concoctions that would facilitate male genital function.
Early Embryogenesis and Maternal Recognition of Pregnancy 291
Based 011 clay tablets dated 12th Century B. C., it was found that castration was the pwzislzmentfor several male sex offenders. Hence, they apparently knew that the testes were the source of mating behavior in hu- man males. Castration (peJfonned without anesthesia) was likely the first survivable surge1y in humans.
Aristotle drew an analogy between the epididymis/ductus deferens, testis am/ a
string being helcl tight by an at- taclzed rock. Aristotle thought that the function of the testis was only as a weight (like a rock attached to a string) to keep the “kinks” out of the ductus deferens.
Peppermint shrimp begin their life as males, but most change into a female-with a slight twist. The ‘remale” shrimp maintain theil”‘ male ducts, produce sperm ami fertilize other female-phase shrimp even when incubating their own emb1yos. They can do it all.
On average, the bilaterally castrated man lives 12 years longer than intact men. The possible reason? There is no energy spent t1ying to copulate. The energy spent copu- lating is minuscule compared to the energy expended trying to convince the female part- ner to copulate. If no testes are available, there is no energy e.Y:penditure.
In Cephalopods (squids, cuttlefishes and octopi) the male deposits a special spemz package called a spermatophore in the female body cavity by way of an artificial penis. This artificial penis is known as a hectocotylus and it is a specially modified tentacle. Some species have developed a detachable penis that they cattleave behind in the female’s body.
Spiders (arachnids) also have an artificial penis. In their case it is a leg that doubles as a penis and is known scientifically as a maxillmy palp. It is not known whether the detachable penis has the ability to grow back.
Key References
Bazer, F. W., T.L. Ott and T.E. Spencer. 1994. “Preg- nancy recognition in ruminants, pigs and horses: signals from the trophoblast.” Theriogenology. 41 :79.
Flint, A.P.F. 1995. “Interferon, the oxytocin receptor and the maternal recognition of pregnancy in nuninants and non-ruminants: A comparative approach.” Reprod. Fertil. Dev. 7:313.
Ginther, 0 .1. 1992. Reproductive Biolo’ty a [the Mare. 2nd Edition. Equiservices, Cross Plains, WI. Library of Congress Catalog No. 9 1-075595.
Larsen, W.J. I 993. Human Embrvology. Churchill Livingstone, New York. ISBN 0-443-08724-5.
Mirando, M.A. , M.U. Zumcu, K.G. Carnahan and T.E. Ludwig. 1996. “A role for oxytocin during luteolysis and early pregnancy in swine.” Reprod. Dam. Anim. 31:455.
Ott, T.L. and C.A. Gifford. 2010. “Effects of early con- ceptus signals on circulating immune cells: lessons from domestic ruminants.” Am J. Reprod. lmmunol.l -9.
Roberts, R.M., D.W. Leaman and J.C. Cross. 1992. ” Role of interferons in maternal recognition of preg- nancy in ruminants” in P. S.E.B.M 200:7.
Thatcher, W.W., C.R. Staples, G. Danet-Desnoyers, B. Oldick and E.P. Schmitt. 1994. “Embryo health and mortality in sheep and cattle.” J. Anim. Sci. 72 (suppl. 3):16.
Spencer, T.E. 1998. “Pregnancy, maternal recognition of’ in Encvc/opedia o(Reproduction, Vol 3, pl006- 10 15. Knobil, E. and J.D. Neill, eds. Academic Press, San Diego. ISBN 0- 12-227023-1 .
Seidel, G.E. 1998. “Embryo transfer” in Encvclopedia o(Reproduction, Vol 1, p1037- 1042. Knobil, E. and J.D. Neill, eds. Academic Press, San Diego. ISBN 0-12-227