THE INFLUENCE OF THE SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT ON SEXUAL MATURATION IN MALE MICE

J. G. VANDENBERGH

doi:10.1530/jrf.0.0240383

Pheromonally induced sexual maturation in females: regulation by the social environment of the male

Science ◽

10.1126/science.557838 ◽

1977 ◽

Vol 196 (4289) ◽

pp. 545-546 ◽

Cited By ~ 73

Author(s):

Lombardi ◽

J. Vandenbergh

Keyword(s):

Social Environment ◽

Sexual Maturation ◽

The Social

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Group housing and social dominance hierarchy affect circadian activity patterns in mice

Royal Society Open Science ◽

10.1098/rsos.201985 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (2) ◽

pp. 201985

Author(s):

Yuri Robbers ◽

Mayke M. H. Tersteeg ◽

Johanna H. Meijer ◽

Claudia P. Coomans

Keyword(s):

Social Environment ◽

Social Dominance ◽

Dominance Hierarchy ◽

Activity Patterns ◽

Dominance Rank ◽

Dominant Male ◽

Group Housing ◽

Male Mice ◽

Female Mice ◽

The Social

In this study, we investigated the effect of social environment on circadian patterns in activity by group housing either six male or six female mice together in a cage, under regular light–dark cycles. Based on the interactions among the animals, the social dominance rank of individual mice was quantitatively established by calculating Elo ratings. Our results indicated that, during our experiment, the social dominance hierarchy was rapidly established, stable yet complex, often showing more than one dominant mouse and several subordinate mice. Moreover, we found that especially dominant male mice, but not female mice, displayed a significantly higher fraction of their activity during daytime. This resulted in reduced rhythm amplitude in dominant males. After division into separate cages, male mice showed an enhancement of their 24 h rhythm, due to lower daytime activity. Recordings of several physiological parameters showed no evidence for reduced health as a potential consequence of reduced rhythm amplitude. For female mice, transfer to individual housing did not affect their daily activity pattern. We conclude that 24 h rhythms under light–dark cycles are influenced by the social environment in males but not in females, and lead to a decrement in behavioural rhythm amplitude that is larger in dominant mice.

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Sexual maturation in male prairie voles: Effects of the social environment

Physiology & Behavior ◽

10.1016/0031-9384(94)90198-8 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 56 (2) ◽

pp. 299-304 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

J.M. Mateo ◽

W.G. Holmes ◽

Angela M. Bell ◽

Marjut Turner

Keyword(s):

Social Environment ◽

Sexual Maturation ◽

Prairie Voles ◽

The Social

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Fighting in NIH/S male mice: consequences for behaviour in resident-intruder tests and physiological parameters

Laboratory Animals ◽

10.1258/002367700780457626 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 34 (2) ◽

pp. 189-198 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

E. Kaliste-Korhonen ◽

S. Eskola

Keyword(s):

Adipose Tissue ◽

Social Status ◽

Social Environment ◽

Physiological Parameters ◽

The Other ◽

Epididymal Adipose Tissue ◽

Male Mice ◽

The Social ◽

The Individual ◽

Resident Intruder

Fighting is known to occur frequently in male mouse groups. In this study with outbred NIH/S mice, the possible impact of individual aggressiveness on fighting in groups and on the social status of animals was studied. Male mice were pre-tested in a resident-intruder (RI) test and rated as initially aggressive or non-aggressive according to their attack behaviour against an intruder. Thereafter they were randomly allocated to new social groups, with four mice per cage. Fighting in groups was increased when several initially aggressive animals were included in the group. Within the groups, animals were rated as dominants and subordinates according to their behaviour toward a strange intruder introduced into their home-cage (Group Intruder, GI) test and the occurrence of wounds. Additionally, subordinates were divided into aggressive and non-aggressive categories according to their behaviour in the second RI test, which was performed 3 weeks after grouping. The behaviour in the RI test prior to group-housing did not predict the individual social status or possibility of being wounded in the new social environment. On the other hand, the social relationships in the new group affected the behaviour in a subsequent RI test. All dominants showed aggressive behaviour during the second RI test. Those subordinates which behaved aggressively during this test received the most numerous and serious wounds, suggesting that in the new groups their interactions with the other group members were mostly aggressive. The reduced weight of epididymal adipose tissue in dominant and aggressive subordinates may indicate that they had fought continuously. Social status or levels of fighting in a group did not affect individual weight gain or the other physiological parameters measured. The wounded animals had enlarged spleens and reduced weights of epididymal adipose tissue, which were probably the results of increased activity of the immune system and reduced welfare, respectively. In conclusion, individual aggressiveness seems to be greatly affected by the demands of the social environment. Fighting in mouse groups leading to wounded animals may have effects on physiological research parameters.

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