Socio-sexual preferences of female mice (Mus musculus domesticus): The influence of social aggressive capacities of isolated or grouped males

Abstract

Dominant and subordinated males were selected (from groups or from individual housing) through dyadic encounters. Only 24 hours of individual housing were necessary in the grouped animals to produce aggressive levels comparable to those observed in male mice isolated for 5 weeks. Virgin females in induced oestrus were allowed to choose, in four binary choice situations, between dominants and subordinates selected from groups or individually housed animals. Dominant males irrespective of housing were more attractive to females: isolated males of proved social aggressiveness were essentially similar to dominant males selected from groups. It is worth noting that levels of social aggression, sexual behaviour and sex-related aggression were strongly interrelated in this species. Moreover, non-aggressive isolated males showed no sexual activity and were not attractive to females. This behavioural variability in sexual and aggressive behaviour must be considered when attempting to interpret the social structures generated by house mice. © 1982 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.