Conspecific odor preferences in Montane voles (Microtus montanus): effects of sexual experience

Sexually naive male and female montane voles (Microtus montanus) were tested in a two-choice odor preference situation. Females, but not males, spent more time investigating bedding soiled by a conspecific of the other sex than clean, unsoiled bedding. Both naive females and males spent more time near male-soiled rather than female-soiled bedding. Males with extensive monogamous sexual experience exhibited a preference for female-soiled bedding when the comparison stimulus was clean bedding but no preference when the comparison was with male-soiled bedding.