Abstract
Male prairie vole preferences for estrous versus diestrous females and associated stimuli were investigated. The role of sexual experience in engendering preferences proved more complex than reported for other species. Naive males did not display preferences. Neither males receiving sexual experience through monogamous cohabitation, nor males housed with two females displayed preferences. Males exposed to both estrous and diestrous females, and males housed with other males and females in a semi-naturalistic setting, displayed preferences. Thus, preferences seem to be “tuned” by experiential manipulations. Cues available for discrimination also influenced the display of preferences, as different results were obtained using apparatus that differed in cue availability. The observed pattern of responsiveness to sex odors may be related to the social organization and mating system of the prairie vole, a mammal that is believed to be monogamous.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
