Familiarity with conspecific odor and isolation-induced aggressive behavior in male mice (Mus domesticus).

Abstract

Male Swiss CD-1 mice (Mus domesticus, n = 60) were isolated for 24 days. In the isolation group mice were exposed to their own odor; in the familiarity group mice were familiarized with pairmates' odor by daily exchange of bedding; and in the unfamiliarity group subjects (exposed) were familiarized with pairmates' odor, whereas the pairmates (nonexposed) were familiarized with odors of other isolated mice. Aggressive behavior was scored during 20-min sessions. Familiarity with the pairmate's odor (familiarity and exposed subgroups) caused an enhancement of aggressive behavior, shown by the highest frequency of tail rattling and offensive upright posture and by a decrease in latency to the 1st attack. Nonexposed subjects showed high values of submissive upright posture, screaming, fleeing, and freezing. The results suggest that dominantlike behavior, acquired in social isolation, may be directed toward a conspecific whose odor is familiar.