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Differences in auditory brainstem responses between laboratory-reared and wild-caught prairie voles (Microtus
Luberson Joseph1, Naleyshka Colon-Rivera1, Emily M New1
1Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States of America.
Plos One
|February 20, 2026
Summary
This study compared the hearing of wild and lab-raised prairie voles using auditory brainstem responses (ABRs). Wild voles had better hearing sensitivity and lower thresholds, highlighting the impact of environment on auditory processing in this rodent model.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Auditory Neuroscience
- Animal Behavior
Background:
- Prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster) are increasingly used in social neuroscience research.
- Comparing wild-caught and laboratory-reared individuals is crucial for understanding environmental influences on neural traits and validating lab findings.
- Few studies have directly compared auditory characteristics between wild and captive prairie voles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare auditory brainstem response (ABR) thresholds and wave characteristics between laboratory-reared and wild-caught prairie voles.
- To investigate how environmental history (wild vs. captive) affects auditory processing in prairie voles.
- To assess the ecological validity of using laboratory-reared prairie voles for auditory research.
Main Methods:
- Auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) were recorded in both laboratory-reared and wild-caught prairie voles.
- ABR thresholds, interpeak latencies, amplitude ratios, normalized latencies, and binaural interaction component (BIC) relative amplitude were analyzed.
- Statistical comparisons were made between the two groups and between sexes within each group.
Main Results:
- Wild-caught prairie voles exhibited significantly lower ABR thresholds at multiple frequencies (1-24 kHz) compared to laboratory-reared voles.
- Laboratory-reared voles showed faster interpeak latencies and normalized latencies, along with a higher relative BIC amplitude.
- No significant sex-based differences were found in any auditory parameters within either group.
Conclusions:
- Environmental background significantly impacts auditory processing in prairie voles, affecting hearing sensitivity and neural response timing.
- Differences observed in ABR measures suggest that laboratory-reared voles may have altered auditory processing compared to their wild counterparts.
- Integrating data from both wild and captive populations is essential for advancing comparative auditory research and ensuring ecological validity.
