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Updated: Dec 5, 2025

Assessment of Sexual Behavior of Male Mice

Assessment of Sexual Behavior of Male Mice

Published on: March 5, 2020

Social status and ejaculate composition in the house mouse.

Helen L Bayram^1,2, Catarina Franco², Philip Brownridge²

¹Mammalian Behaviour and Evolution Group, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Chester High Road, Neston CH64 7TE, UK.

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences

|October 19, 2020

Summary

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Male social status influences ejaculate investment. Dominant house mice produced more sperm, while subordinates had higher seminal fluid protein concentration, indicating tailored reproductive strategies.

Area of Science:

Evolutionary biology
Animal behavior
Reproductive science

Background:

Sperm competition theory posits males adjust ejaculates based on social status.
Understanding these adjustments is key to reproductive success in competitive environments.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate how social status affects ejaculate production and seminal fluid composition in house mice (Mus musculus domesticus).
To identify specific protein differences in seminal vesicle secretions linked to social hierarchy.

Main Methods:

Experimental manipulation of social status in house mice.
Quantitative proteomics analysis of seminal vesicle fluid.
Sperm count and seminal vesicle gland size measurements.

Keywords:

ejaculates mating plugs proteomics seminal fluid social dominance sperm competition

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Last Updated: Dec 5, 2025

Assessment of Sexual Behavior of Male Mice

Assessment of Sexual Behavior of Male Mice

Published on: March 5, 2020

Assessing Social Dominance in Mouse Models Using the Tube Test

Assessing Social Dominance in Mouse Models Using the Tube Test

Published on: June 6, 2025

Collection of Post-mating Semen from the Female Reproductive Tract and Measurement of Semen Liquefaction in Mice

Collection of Post-mating Semen from the Female Reproductive Tract and Measurement of Semen Liquefaction in Mice

Published on: November 18, 2017

Main Results:

Dominant males showed higher sperm counts and larger seminal vesicle glands.
Subordinate males exhibited higher protein concentration in seminal vesicle secretions.
Proteomic analysis revealed distinct protein profiles in seminal fluid based on social status.

Conclusions:

Social status significantly impacts male investment in both sperm quantity and seminal fluid quality.
These findings highlight the adaptive strategies males employ in sperm competition.
Social hierarchy is a crucial factor shaping reproductive investment in house mice.