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Using a Comparative Species Approach to Investigate the Neurobiology of Paternal Responses
Published on: September 19, 2011
Paternal behavior increases testosterone levels in offspring of the California mouse
Elizabeth A Becker1, Brett M Moore, Catherine Auger
1Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin at Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA. eflorek@wisc.edu
Insights
Paternal pup retrievals in California mice rapidly increase testosterone in young males. This hormonal change may explain how paternal care influences adult aggression and neuropeptide development.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Endocrinology
- Developmental Neuroscience
- Animal Behavior
Background:
- Paternal care is crucial for pup development and survival in California mice (Peromyscus californicus).
- Paternal behavior influences offspring aggression and vasopressin levels, but mechanisms are unclear.
- Testosterone is linked to aggression and vasopressin, suggesting a potential role in mediating paternal care effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if paternal pup retrievals increase testosterone levels in prepubertal male California mice.
- To explore the rapid hormonal response to paternal behavior during a critical developmental window.
Main Methods:
- Prepubertal male pups were assigned to retrieval, nonretrieval control, or hormonal baseline groups.
- Pups were manipulated on postnatal days 18-21 to elicit or prevent paternal retrievals.
- Testosterone levels were measured at 45 and 90 minutes post-manipulation.
Main Results:
- Testosterone levels were significantly elevated at 45 minutes in retrieved pups compared to controls.
- No significant difference in testosterone was observed at 90 minutes post-manipulation.
- A positive correlation was found between the number of pup retrievals and testosterone levels at 45 minutes.
Conclusions:
- Paternal pup retrievals can induce a rapid, short-term increase in testosterone in young male mice.
- This hormonal response suggests a mechanism linking paternal care to the development of aggression and vasopressin.
- Early development, previously considered hormonally quiescent, shows responsiveness to paternal behavior.
Abstract:
Paternal care during early development influences pup survivorship in the monogamous and biparental California mouse, Peromyscus californicus. Moreover, paternal pup retrievals impact development of adult offspring aggression and the neuropeptide vasopressin, yet little is known about the underlying mechanisms of these developmental changes. Because testosterone can increase arginine vasopressin and aggression, we hypothesized that paternal pup retrievals increase testosterone levels in prepubertal male P. californicus pups. Male pups were assigned to one of three groups: hormonal baseline, nonretrieval control, or retrieval. On postnatal days 18-21, all pups and the mother were removed from the cage, and the focal male pup was placed either outside of the nest to elicit paternal retrievals (retrieval group) or in the nest to discourage paternal retrievals (nonretrieval group). Testosterone was elevated at 45-min, but not 90-min, post-manipulation in retrieved compared to nonretrieved pups. Moreover, there was a significant positive correlation between pup retrievals and testosterone in the 45-min group. This rapid testosterone rise in response to paternal retrievals may facilitate an increase in aggression and vasopressin in adult offspring. Therefore, this period of development previously viewed as hormonally quiescent may be more active in response to paternal behavior than previously thought.
