Sex-Specific Mechanism of Social Hierarchy in Mice

摘要: The establishment of social hierarchies is a naturally occurring, evolutionarily conserved phenomenon with well-established impact on fitness and health. Investigations complex group dynamics may offer novel opportunities for translational studies autism spectrum disorder. Here we describe robust behavioral paradigm using an automated version the tube test. Isogenic groups male female mice establish linear that remain highly stable at least 14 days, longest interval tested. Remarkably, however, their strategy sex-specific: females primarily utilize intrinsic attributes, whereas males are strongly influenced by prior experience. Using both genetic pharmacological manipulations, identify testosterone as critical sex-specific factor determining which used. Males inheriting null mutation sex-determining region Y (Sry) gene used similar cognitive females. In contrast, transgenic expression Sry utilized typically strategy. Analogously, castration supplementation yielded outcomes, reversal Together, our results demonstrate mechanism underlying hierarchy, in retain functional capacity to adapt More generally, expect test provide important complementary approach fundamental behavior.