Ultrasonic vocalizations by adult prairie voles, Microtus ochrogaster

Male and female Microtus ochrogaster were presented with anesthetized and awake conspecifics while ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) were monitored. Males produced significantly more USVs than females during 5-min testing sessions. Males tended to produce more USVs to unfamiliar females than to familiar female siblings. Sexual experience led to increased USV scores by males. These results suggest that USVs by male prairie voles communicate to females the male's gender and his availability for reproductive behavior.