Abstract
The present study investigates factors mediating odor and social preferences in female house mice (Muc domesticus) based on the t-complex geontype of males. Previous studies in this laboratory showed that females prefer the odors of wild-type (+/+) males over those that carry lethal genes (+/t). The purpose of this study was to determine the genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors that regulate these preferences. The variables examined include t-complex genotype, genetic background, estrous condition of test females (+/+ or +/t), and genotype of the test female's parents. Results indicate that female preferences for +/+ males are dependent upon the t-complex genotype and estrous condition of test females. Only +/t females in estrus showed preferences for +/+ males. Estrous cycle condition effects were seen in both wild (+/+w 5) and inbred (129 +/tw 5)females. Homozygous females (+/+) and diestrous females of both geno-types did not demonstrate preferences for either +/+ or +/t males.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bennett, D. (1975). The T-locus of the mouse.Cell 6:441–454.
Bennett, D. (1978). Poplulation genetics of T/t complex mutations. In Morse, H. (ed.),Origins of Inbred Mice, Academic Press, New York, pp. 615–632.
Bruck, D. (1957). Male segregation ratio advantage as a factor maintaining lethal alleles in wild populations of house mice.Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 43:152–158.
Coopersmith, C. B., and Lenington, S. (1992). Female preferences based on male quality in house mice: Interaction between male dominance rank and t-complex genotype.Ethology 90:1–16.
Egid, K., and Brown, J. (1989). The major histocompatibility complex and female mating preferences in mice.Anim. Behav. 38:548–550.
Franks, P., and Lenington, S. (1986). Dominance and reproductive behavior of wild house mice in a seminatural environment correlated with T locus genotype.Behav. Ecol. Sociobiol. 18:395–404.
Houde, A. E. (1988). Genetic differences in female choice between two guppy populations.Anim. Behav. 36:510–516.
Huck, U. W., and Banks, E. M. (1982). Differential attraction of females to dominant males: Olfactory discrimination and mating preference in the brown lemming (Lemmus trimucronatus).Behav. Ecol. Sociobiol. 11:217–222.
Lenington, S. (1983). Social preferences for partners carrying “good genes” in wild house mice.Anim. Behav. 31:325–333.
Lenington, S., and Egid, K. (1985). Female discrimination of male odors correlated with male genotype at the T locus: A response to T-locus of H-2 locus variability?Behav. Genet. 15:53–67.
Lenington, S., and Egid, K. (1989). Environmental influences on the preferences of wild female house mice for males of differing t-complex genotypes.Behav. Genet. 19:257–266.
Lenington, S., Egid, K., and Williams, J. (1988). Analysis of a genetic recognition system in wild house mice.Behav. Genet. 18:549–564.
Lenington, S., and Heisler, I. L. (1991). Behavorial reduction in the transmission of deleterious t haplotypes by wild house mice.Am. Nat. 137:366–378.
Mainardi, M., and Pasquali, A. (1973). Socio-sexual preferences of the female house mouse (Mus musculus) in relation to the social status of the mouse.Ateneo Parmese 9:2–12.
Potts, W., Manning, C. J., and Wakeland, E. (1991). Mating patterns in seminatural populations of mice influenced by MHC genotype.Nature 352:619–621.
Snedecor, G. W., and Cochran, W. G. (1967).Statistical Methods, Iowa State University Press, Ames.
Yamakaki, K., Beauchamp, G. K., Kupniewski, D., Bard, J., Thomas, L., and Boyse, E. A. (1988). Familial imprinting determines H-2 selective mating preference.Science 240:1331–1332.
Williams, J. R. (1989).Social and Sexual Preferences in Wild House Mice (Mus Domesticus)Based on Genetic Differences Between Conspecifics: Preferences Based on T-Haplotype and Population Membership, Dissertation.
Williams, J. R., Catania, K. C., and Carter, C. S. (1992). Development of partner preferences in female prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster): The role of social and sexual experience.Horm. Behav. 26:339–349.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Williams, J.R., Lenington, S. Factors modulating preferences of female house mice for males differing in t-complex genotype: Role of t-complex genotype, genetic background, and estrous condition of females. Behav Genet 23, 51–58 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01067553
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01067553