Contextual determinants of female-female mounting in laboratory rats
Article Abstract:
It is common for females to mount other females among mammals, and it may serve a function which can be understood in the context of the social behavior of females. Observations of rates has found that dominant females are more likely to mount subordinate females, and the sexually receptive females are also more likely to be mounted, though the oestrous cycle of the mounting female is not important. Unfamiliar females are more likely to be mounted. Mounting is reduced when males are present, and mounting does not affect the females becoming pregnant. Mounting does appear have a role in female rats' social lives.
Publication Name: Animal Behaviour
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0003-3472
Year: 1999
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Social interactions unmask sex differences in humoral immunity in voles
Article Abstract:
Male laboratory rodents tend to have lower cell-mediated and humoral immunity than females. Female meadow voles showed higher immunity than males, but prairie voles did not show this sex difference. Prairie voles showed lower humoral immunity than meadow voles. There were no observed sex differences in the antibody productio of either type of vole when housed individually, though they were observed for meadow voles living in pairs. Monogamous species may show less pronunced sex differences in terms of their immune function.
Publication Name: Animal Behaviour
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0003-3472
Year: 1999
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
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