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Related Experiment Videos

What makes male mice paternal?

R W Elwood

    Behavioral and Neural Biology
    |July 1, 1986
    PubMed
    Summary

    Male mice reduce infanticide and increase paternal care after mating. Prior social status and female size influence these behavioral changes, suggesting post-copulatory subordination is key.

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    Area of Science:

    • Behavioral Ecology
    • Neuroethology
    • Reproductive Biology

    Background:

    • Infanticide is a common reproductive strategy in many species.
    • Paternal responsiveness can evolve under specific social and reproductive conditions.
    • Understanding factors influencing male infanticide and paternal care is crucial for reproductive success.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the effects of copulation and postcopulatory cohabitation on infanticide and paternal responsiveness in male mice.
    • To determine the influence of prior male-male encounters and female size on these behavioral changes.

    Main Methods:

    • Male mice (CS1) were exposed to pregnant females for copulation and subsequent cohabitation.
    • Males' prior social status (dominant vs. subordinate) was established through brief encounters.
    • Infanticidal behavior and paternal responsiveness were tested in subsequent encounters with infants.
    • The size of the female partner was also recorded and analyzed.

    Main Results:

    • Copulation and cohabitation with pregnant females significantly reduced infanticide and increased paternal responsiveness.
    • The effectiveness of copulation was modulated by prior experience with infants.
    • Subordinate males were less infanticidal than dominant males in subsequent tests.
    • Males cohabiting with larger females exhibited reduced infanticide compared to those with smaller females.

    Conclusions:

    • Postcopulatory subordination by females appears to be a significant factor in reducing male infanticide.
    • This subordination facilitates the initiation of paternal responsiveness.
    • Male mouse behavior is sensitive to social dynamics and reproductive interactions.

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