Infanticide: genetic, developmental and hormonal influences in mice.

摘要: Abstract DBA/2J and androgen-deficient C57BL/6J mice were examined for their response to newborn (1–3 day old) Rockland Swiss (R-S) albino mouse pups. Significantly more 70–90 old C57BL male killed young as compared similarly aged DBA males (80% vs 30% respectively). Adult, old, female of both strains typically retrieved the nest site. Adult castration significantly reduced infanticide in while exposure testosterone (T)-containing silastic capsules restored it. Treatment adult ovariectomized with T-containing elevated exhibition pup killing. When tested at 25, 35, 45, 55 or 65 days age, few either strain 25 age. However, beginning 35 every age males. Moreover, exhibited an earlier developmental onset adult-like levels than (45 Finally, older (4.5 7 months age) pup-killing identical that younger (2 (70%). The findings are discussed terms relationship other sexually dimophic T-dependent masculine behaviors. potential importance rodent reproductive strategies population regulation is also considered.