Peromyscus Maniculatus Bairdi Research Articles

Gonadal hormone activation of male courtship ultrasonic vocalizations and male copulatory behavior in castrated male deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus bairdi).

The influence of testosterone (T), a 5 alpha-reduced metabolite of T, dihydrotestosterone, and an aromatized metabolite of T, estradiol, on 35-kHz ultrasonic calling and male copulatory behavior by male deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus bairdi) was examined. Daily treatment with testosterone propionate (TP), dihydrotestosterone propionate (DHTP), or estradiol benzoate (EB) restored male ultrasonic calling in long-term castrated males. Both TP and DHTP restored male copulatory behavior, but EB was ineffective in facilitating copulation. Synergism of EB and DHTP action was observed; when subthreshold doses of EB (1 microgram/day) and DHTP (50 micrograms/day) were administered in combination, male ultrasonic calling and male copulatory behavior were activated. In relation to other comparative findings, these results indicate that the degree to which male sexual behavior is facilitated by 5 alpha-reduced androgens and/or estrogens is influenced by the species and the particular pattern of masculine behavior under consideration.

Recovery from sexual satiety in deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus bairdi).

Two experiments were completed in order to delineate the time course of recovery from sexual satiety in deer mice, Peromyscus maniculatus bairdi. The total numbers of ejaculations and intromissions attained in satiety tests were significantly decreased on the day following satiation and recovered gradually as measured in tests run after 3 and 7 days of recovery. Whereas some measures characteristic of individual series were altered by incomplete recovery, others were unaffected. In Experiment 2, most males ejaculated every day when tested for 5 consecutive days; the number of ejaculations per test was lowered after Day 1, but then remained relatively constant. The pattern of measures changing with recovery has implications for the development of control models of sexual behavior. The limited capacity of males to produce ejaculates (M = 12.2/5 days) implies that males should be selected for prudence in allocating ejaculates.

Gonadal hormone activation of male courtship ultrasonic vocalizations and male copulatory behavior in castrated male deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus bairdi).

Gonadal hormone activation of male courtship ultrasonic vocalizations and male copulatory behavior in castrated male deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus bairdi).

The influence of social environment and urine exposure on sexual maturation of male prairie deermice ( Peromyscus maniculatus bairdi )

The influence of social environment and urine exposure on sexual maturation of male prairie deermice ( <i>Peromyscus maniculatus bairdi</i> )

Muroid Copulatory Plugs and Female Reproductive Tracts: A Comparative Investigation

Structural variations in copulatory plugs and female reproductive tracts are described for 23 species of muroid rodents. Females were killed and examined 15 min after receiving one ejaculation from a conspecific male. Measurements of the copulatory plug and the female's reproductive tract were then recorded. The data suggest that: 1) vaginal length may be a significant determinant of plug length, the coagulant essentially occupying the entire vaginal lumen; 2) vaginal length significantly covaries with penile length; 3) lengths of the upper reproductive tract of the female are significantly related to her body mass and do not appear to be influenced by insemination; and 4) tract lengths do not appear to vary appreciably with the estrous cycle, at least in Peromyscus maniculatus bairdi .

Testosterone acts as a prohormone to stimulate male copulatory behavior in male deer mice (peromyscus maniculatus bairdi).

In order to determine the importance of reduced and aromatized metabolites of testosterone for male sexual behavior in Peromyscus maniculatus bairdi, castrated males were treated with 5 alpha-reductase and aromatase inhibitors. In the first experiment, testosterone propionate (TP) activation of male copulatory behavior was blocked by the administration of the 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor 4-androsten-3-one-17-beta carboxylic acid (17 beta C). These treatments also prevented TP stimulation of seminal vesicles and ventral prostate gland weight. The inhibitory effects of 17 beta C were specific to testosterone, since 17 beta C did not prevent dihydrotestosterone propionate (DHTP) induction of male sexual behavior or seminal vesicles and ventral prostate gland weight increases. In the second experiment, TP activation of male copulatory behavior was prevented by the administration of the aromatase inhibitor 1,4,6-androstatriene-3,17-dione (ATD). The ATD did not interfere with DHTP activation of male reproductive behavior. Also, TP and DHTP stimulation of accessory sex organ weight was not blocked by ATD. On the basis of these data, it is suggested that metabolism of testosterone to both 5 alpha-reduced androgens and estrogens is obligatory for testosterone to reliably stimulate male sexual behavior in castrated male deer mice.

Feeding pattern in Peromyscus maniculatus: The response to periodic food deprivation

The prairie deermouse ( Peromyscus maniculatus bairdi) is strongly nocturnal on a 12:12 LD-cycle with a bimodal, dusk-dawn feeding pattern. It has been suggested for the rat that the dusk peak is more dependent on the animal's immediate energy needs while the dawn peak has an anticipatory function in storing food. The present study investigates this pattern in terms of the feeding response of deermice following periodic food deprivation. It was found that the response is not uniform within the D-phase; survivability, food intake, and maintenance of body mass were all favored by access to food during the final six hours vs the initial six hours. Deprivation experience enhanced survivability with the early-food, presumably through a reduction in locomotor activity and not by increased food intake. These results suggest a rigid temporal organization of feeding behaviors whereby early-night foraging and hoarding are necessary in allowing for late-night filling in anticipation of the L-phase.

Ultrasonic vocalizations in male deer mice ( Peromyscus maniculatus bairdi): Their role in male sexual behavior

The occurrence of 35-kHz ultrasonic vocalizations was examined during sexual behavior tests in deer mice ( Peromyscus maniculatus bairdi). Males which copulated always preceded the onset of copulation with ultrasonic calls. In males failing to exhibit copulatory behavior, ultrasonic emissions were seldom detected. Among copulating males, vocalization rate was highest before copulation and after ejaculation, and declined during copulation. Also, precopulatory vocalization rate was inversely related to the length of time from production of first ultrasound to first intromission. It is suggested that 35-kHz vocalizations of male deer mice may be an important component of their sexual behavior repertoire which serves to facilitate mating.

Studies of sperm competition in two species of muroid rodents

1. In three experiments on the effects of mating order, wild-type male deer mice, Peromyscus maniculatus bairdi were tested in competition with brown recessive, wide-band agouti, and blonde mutant males. Females of the homozygous recessive genotype received two ejaculatory series from a male of each genotype; mating order was varied. There were no significant effects of mating order on litter composition. In a parallel experiment wild-type and albino male prairie voles, Microtus ochrogaster, mated for one ejaculation each with albino females. There was a significant advantage with respect to litter composition for the male ejaculating last. Together with data from other species, these results suggest that effects of mating order are highly species-specific and must be evaluated for each species before speculations are made regarding the effects of multiple matings. 2. Males of various genotypes differed with respect to differential fertilizing capacity. Wild-type male deer mice outcompeted both brown recessive and wideband agouti males. The combinations of blonde and wild-type deer mice and albino and wild-type prairie voles yielded strain differences in litter composition in one mating order but not in the other. Counts of the numbers of sperm from males of different genotypes in the uteri of females revealed no sigificant strain differences. Thus, strain differences are not simply a function of sperm numbers. 3. Female deer mice mated or exposed to more than one male had a lower probability of pregnancy than those mated for comparable numbers of ejaculations with one male in previous studies. Additional data on pregnancy initiation in females of the brown-recessive genotype mated with one male revealed them to be only slightly less likely to become pregnant than wild-type females. Strain of male had little effect. 4. No significant effects on litter composition were attributable to the length of the delay between matings by successive males. This was established both via correlational analyses of the data from the mating order studies and in an additional experiment in deer mice in which delays of 2 h were imposed between the last ejaculation by the first male and introduction of a second male. 5. Litter composition in deer mice reflects the number of ejaculations attained by each of two males. In one experiment, female deer mice mated first with a blonde male and then with a wild-type male. The blonde male delivered three ejaculations and the wild-type male one ejaculation in one condition and the wild-type male three ejaculations and the blonde male one in the other. Litter composition was significantly affected.

Male sexual behavior in deer mice ( Peromyscus maniculatus) following castration and hormone replacement

Sexually experienced male deer mice ( Peromyscus maniculatus bairdi) were castrated and tested for male sexual behavior. In the weeks following castration male sexual behavior decreased. Ejaculation disappeared first, followed by intromission and, finally, mounting. Castrated males failing to copulate were assigned to one of four treatment groups: 200 μg testosterone propionate (TP); 200 μg dihydrotestosterone propionate (DHTP); 2 μg estradiol benzoate (EB); or sesame oil (OIL). TP and DHTP were equally effective in restoring the complete male sexual behavior pattern. In contrast, EB was effective in stimulating mounting and minimally effective in stimulating intromissions (vaginal penetration), but did not stimulate ejaculatory responses. These data indicate that in deer mice testosterone may mediate male sexual behavior through reduction to dihydrotestosterone rather than through aromatization to estradiol.

Studies on the nature of reproductive inhibition in animals from laboratory populations of prairie deermice ( Peromyscus maniculatus bairdi): Serum LH and FSH concentrations

Serum LH and FSH concentrations and gonadal condition in deermice maintained in laboratory populations or as pairs were determined: 1. 1. Animals taken from populations had significantly smaller body, gonad and sexual accessory weights when compared with controls. 2. 2. Histological evaluation of the gonads revealed significantly fewer spermatids in the testes and significantly fewer Type 8 follicles and corpora lutea in ovaries from population animals compared with controls. 3. 3. Serum LH concentrations were not significantly different among males, but were significantly lower in population females compared with their controls. 4. 4. Serum FSH concentrations were significantly higher in population males and population females compared with their controls.

Learning and nonlearned neophobia enhancement both contribute to the formation of illness-induced taste aversions by deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus bairdi)

An investigation was made of the occurrence of learned and nonlearned aversions in the acquisition of illness-induced taste aversions in mice of the genusPeromyscus. It was determined: (1) that illness following the ingestion of a novel flavor both produced aversions specific to that flavor and also enhanced neophobia directed toward novel flavors in general; (2) that the specific aversion and the enhanced neophobia appeared to be mediated by independent processes, with no indication that the enhanced neophobia was dependent upon the integrity of the specific aversion; and (3) that illness following the ingestion of familiar water produced enhanced neophobia, which did not appear to be mediated by an aversion to water. It was noted that the results were fundamentally in agreement with those previously obtained with laboratory rats, except that a demonstration of the independence between the two types of aversions has not yet been reported in those animals.

Sex affects the initial strength but not the extinction of poison-based taste aversions in deer mice ( Peromyscus maniculatus bairdi)

An examination of the effect of sex upon taste-aversion learning in deer mice ( Peromyscus maniculatus bairdi ) found that (a) sex has no apparent effect upon either the acquisition or the extinction of a LiCl-induced aversion to sucrose solution if the animals are tested while fluid deprived, but that (b) if the animals are tested under nondeprived conditions, males exhibit a greater initial aversion than females but both sexes seem to extinguish their aversions at similar rates. These findings differ from those previously reported for laboratory rats, in which it has been found that sex affects the extinction but not the acquisition of poison-induced taste aversions. It was suggested that either (a) sex interacts with taste-aversion learning via different mechanisms in deer mice and in rats, or (b) the apparent differences in extinction rates reported for rats might conceivably reflect differences in initial aversion strength which were undetected due to the use of high doses of toxin.

The influence of the social environment on sexual maturation of female deermice (Peromyscus maniculatus bairdi)

SummaryFemale deermice housed from weaning with groups of five females, five males or five males plus five females had significantly smaller uteri at 35–38 days of age compared to females reared alone. The uterine weights of females reared in the three grouped treatments did not differ significantly among themselves nor did those reared alone or with another animal of either sex. Uterine and ovary weights revealed no significant inhibition or stimulation of sexual maturation dependent upon sex of the adult conspecific with which young females were housed. The number of conspecifics (five or more of either sex) housed with young females was of primary importance in the retardation of uterine development observed.

Ovulation in Peromyscus maniculatus bairdi under Laboratory Conditions

This study was designed to determine whether ovulation in Peromyscus maniculatus bairdi is induced or spontaneous, and to determine the accuracy with which vaginal smears reflect the ovarian cycle. Ovarian histology, vaginal smears, and serum LH concentrations were compared among females inseminated 30 min or 24 h previously or housed alone. Deermice most frequently copulate in the dark period of their daily light cycle, and have variable vaginal smear patterns. Ovulation was spontaneous in the absence of tactile contact with the male and was not consistently related to the time of copulation. Serum LH values indicated a preovulatory surge. Marked variability was found in vaginal smear patterns, ovarian histology, and plasma LH concentrations.

Space utilization of Peromyscus: Social and spatial factors

Space utilization of Peromyscus maniculatus bairdi and P. leucopus noveboracensis was studied in laboratory enclosures. After 1 week, individuals were given access to twice as much space for an additional week. The new area was either vacant or was occupied by a similarly experienced conspecific of the same or opposite sex. Patterns of space utilization and reaction to the doubling of space were species specific. Each species displayed specific patterns of social behaviour and only P. maniculatus reproduced. Both species exhibited similar patterns of space utilization in the presence of another individual. Social regulation of space utilization did not result from territorial defence of mutually exclusive areas, but from the initial mutual avoidance of two individuals.

Physiological and Demographic Profiles of Brown Lemmings during Their Cycle of Abundance

Previous articleNext article No AccessPhysiological and Demographic Profiles of Brown Lemmings during Their Cycle of AbundanceRichard V. Andrews, Kathleen Ryan, Ronald Strohbehn, and Megan Ryan-KlineRichard V. Andrews Search for more articles by this author , Kathleen Ryan Search for more articles by this author , Ronald Strohbehn Search for more articles by this author , and Megan Ryan-Kline Search for more articles by this author PDFPDF PLUS Add to favoritesDownload CitationTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints Share onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail SectionsMoreDetailsFiguresReferencesCited by Volume 48, Number 1Jan., 1975 Article DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1086/physzool.48.1.30155639 Views: 4Total views on this site Citations: 12Citations are reported from Crossref Journal History This article was published in Physiological Zoology (1928-1998), which is continued by Physiological and Biochemical Zoology (1999-present). Copyright 1976 University of ChicagoPDF download Crossref reports the following articles citing this article:Frank A. Pitelka, George O. Batzli , Annales Zoologici Fennici 55, no.4-64-6 ( 2018): 187.https://doi.org/10.5735/086.055.0605R. Naylor, S. J. Richardson, B. M. McAllan Boom and bust: a review of the physiology of the marsupial genus Antechinus, Journal of Comparative Physiology B 178, no.55 (Jan 2008): 545–562.https://doi.org/10.1007/s00360-007-0250-8B.M. McAllan, Juliet R. Roberts, T. O'Shea Effects of Testosterone and Cortisol on the Renal Morphology of MaleAntechinus stuartii(Marsupialia), General and Comparative Endocrinology 107, no.33 (Sep 1997): 439–449.https://doi.org/10.1006/gcen.1997.6945Steve Mihok, Bill Schwartz Anemia at the onset of winter in the meadow vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus), Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Physiology 94, no.22 (Jan 1989): 289–304.https://doi.org/10.1016/0300-9629(89)90551-3W.J. Freeland, P.H. Calcott, D.P. Geiss Allelochemicals, minerals and herbivore population size, Biochemical Systematics and Ecology 13, no.22 (May 1985): 195–206.https://doi.org/10.1016/0305-1978(85)90079-1J.C Coppes, E.L Bradley Serum ACTH and adrenal histology in reproductively inhibited male prairie deermice (Peromyscus maniculatus bairdi), Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Physiology 78, no.22 (Jan 1984): 297–306.https://doi.org/10.1016/0300-9629(84)90151-8Richard V. Andrews The physiology of crowding, Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Physiology 63, no.11 (Jan 1979): 1–6.https://doi.org/10.1016/0300-9629(79)90618-2Richard V. Andrews, Robert W. Belknap Deer mouse and lemming adrenal and pathological responses to increases in animal numbers, Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Physiology 63, no.11 (Jan 1979): 15–18.https://doi.org/10.1016/0300-9629(79)90620-0T. Trandaburu, I. Mincu, A. Petrescu-Kaianu, V. Popescu The effects of short-term exposure to crowding stress on the pancreatic islets morphology and glycemia in mice, Experimentelle Pathologie 17, no.55 (Jan 1979): 280–292.https://doi.org/10.1016/S0014-4908(79)80042-3Lynne Farr, Richard V Andrews Rank-associated desynchronization of metabolic and activity rhythms of Peromyscus maniculatus in response to social pressure, Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Physiology 61, no.44 (Jan 1978): 539–542.https://doi.org/10.1016/0300-9629(78)90123-8L.Keith Miller Physiological studies of arctic animals, Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Physiology 59, no.44 (Jan 1978): 327–334.https://doi.org/10.1016/0300-9629(78)90171-8 William Galster , and Peter Morrison Contrasting Patterns of Energy Substrates in Tundra and Meadow Voles, Physiological Zoology 49, no.44 (Sep 2015): 445–451.https://doi.org/10.1086/physzool.49.4.30155706

Peromyscus: effect of early pairing on reproduction.

Sibling mating in prairie deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus bairdi) results in poor reproductive performance. Siblings experimentally paired before puberty exhibit delayed reproduction when adult. A behavioral mechanism is involved in this reproductive delay, since prepubertal familiarity also delays reproduction in nonsibling pairs. Such a reproductive delay may act to reduce inbreeding depression and regulate population growth.

Social Factors in Dispersal of Deer Mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) from Their Natal Site

In a laboratory situation, social interactions and individual differences in Peromyscus maniculatus bairdi influence the rate at which juveniles leave their natal site. In a family group the father attracted the juveniles and did not expel them. The social influence of the mother depended upon the presence of a subsequent litter and her aggressiveness in defending her litters against conspecifics. Females were classified as aggressive or nonaggressive depending on whether or not they attacked a strange juvenile. An aggressive mother with a subsequent litter increased the rate of departure of her previous litter. Litter mates tended to leave together and no sex differences were found. Family differences in the rate of departure from the natal site were found when the litter members were tested separately. Social behaviors within family groups of P. m. bairdi influenced the rate at which juveniles leave their natal site. INTRODUCTION Social behavior probably mediates many of the factors influencing the initiation of dispersal in mammals, specifically leaving the natal site. The social interactions contributing to the departure of juveniles from their natal site have only been postulated. Individual differences among juveniles may reflect differences in social stimuli or differences in their sensitivity to these stimuli. Perornyscus maniculatus bairdi was chosen as the experimental species because it is socially organized into family groups, it is adaptable to the laboratory, and a relatively large amount of information is available on its movements in the field (Howard, 1949; Dice and Howard, 1951; Stickel, 1968) and on its population dynamics (Terman, 1968). However, several decades of field work on Peromyscus have contributed almost nothing to our knowledge of the behavioral interaction between family members in this genus. This paper presents the results of an experimental laboratory investigation of the hypothesis: Social factors and individual differences determine the rate of natal site departure of young P. m. bairdi. METHODS AND MATERIALS This work was carried out in the laboratory where weather, light, habitat and physical barriers could be controlled. A shock grid served as a barrier between two identical cages, thus maintaining a constant barrier to the departure of juveniles from their home cage. Several types of barriers (water, maze and shock) were considered. Shock permitted control of the intensity of the barrier and was the most effective in suppressing travel between the two, cages as determined in preliminary studies by photoelectric cell counts. The shock level used 1 Present address: Biomathematics Program, Department of Statistics, North Carolina State University, Raleigh 27607.

Odor preferences of female Peromyscus maniculatus bairdi for male mouse odors of P. m. bairdi and P. leucopus noveboracensis as a function of estrous state.

Odor preferences of female Peromyscus maniculatus bairdi for male mouse odors of P. m. bairdi and P. leucopus noveboracensis as a function of estrous state.