EFFECTS OF EARLY EXPOSURE TO MATING ON ADULT SEXUAL-BEHAVIOR IN MALE-MICE VARYING IN THEIR GENETIC DISPOSITION FOR AGGRESSIVE-BEHAVIOR

This study examined whether the sexual behavior of adult male mice is influenced by exposure in early postnatal life to brief episodes of ma ting. Another focus of interest was the interplay between a genetic di sposition for aggressive behavior and the early exposure experiences. The subjects used in the study were male mice of the fifty-sixth gener ation of selection for high (Turku aggressive, TA) and low (Turku non- aggressive, TNA) levels of aggressiveness. Moderately aggressive males of the parental strain (normal, N) were also used. Subjects of each s train were exposed from 21 to 32 days of age to mating mice behind a m ire mesh screen. Control subjects were placed in a comparable enclosur e, but were exposed to nothing. The results showed that male mice expo sed to mating early in life showed a higher rate of activities in the sexuality tests, including aggressive responses. A genetic potential f or aggressive behavior was related to a higher degree of sexual activi ty, and the early exposures optimized the hereditary attributes. The r elation between sexual and aggressive behavior is discussed. (C) 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.