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Factors influencing maternal attack on conspecific intruders by lactating female “TO” strain mice
Author(s) -
AlMaliki Sami,
Brain Paul F.,
Childs G.,
Benton David
Publication year - 1980
Publication title -
aggressive behavior
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.223
H-Index - 92
eISSN - 1098-2337
pISSN - 0096-140X
DOI - 10.1002/1098-2337(1980)6:2<103::aid-ab2480060202>3.0.co;2-j
Subject(s) - aggression , strain (injury) , offensive , biology , mouse strain , developmental psychology , psychology , anatomy , genetics , engineering , gene , operations research
Factors regulating maternal attack in “TO” strain mice were investigated to determine 1) optimal conditions for inducing this behaviour and 2) the likely utility of this activity. Lactating females were more likely to attack male intruders than female intruders. The mate's presence reduced maternal attack in this strain, or (putting it conversely) aggression was generated in the male's absence. Removal of the mothers from their litters for four to five hours also suppressed maternal attack. Investigation of the bite targets in the maternal attack suggested that it is a defensive, rather than an offensive, response.