Publication Type: | Journal Article |
Year of Publication: | 1981 |
Authors: | Moore, CL |
Journal: | Animal Behaviour |
Volume: | 29 |
Pagination: | 383-386 |
Date Published: | 1981 |
ISBN Number: | 0003-3472 |
Keywords: | Rattus norvegicus |
Abstract: | Lactating Long-Evans rats (Rattus norvegicus) were presented with three-day-old male and female pups that were either untreated, coated with collodion in the anogenital region or on the neck, or perfumed; or with female pups odorized with either male or female pup urine. As measured by related t-tests of maternal anogenital licking, male and female pups were discriminated in the untreated condition, but not when masking stimuli were present. Female pups treated with male urine elicited more licking than female pups treated with female urine. Overall, maternal licking was decreased by olfactory masking agents and increased by pup urine. It was concluded that olfactory stimuli from pups both stimulate maternal licking and serve as a basis for discriminating male and female offspring. |
URL: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0003347281800978 |
An olfactory basis for maternal discrimination of sex of offspring in rats (rattus norvegicus)
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