EFFECTS OF PRIOR AGONISTIC EXPERIENCE ON RISK ASSESSMENT AND APPROACHBEHAVIOR EVOKED BY FAMILIAR OR UNFAMILIAR CONSPECIFIC ODORS

Risk assessment and appetitive behaviors in response to familiar and u nfamiliar conspecific odors were measured in mice rendered dominant or subordinate by a series of resident-intruder encounters. Subordinate mice showed elevated levels of risk assessment in response to the odor s of both familiar dominant and unfamiliar males. These behaviors were almost totally absent among dominant males exposed to familiar subord inate or unfamiliar male odors. Subordinate mice showed a marginally s ignificant elevation in latencies to approach familiar, but not unfami liar, dominant odors. Dominant and subordinate mice spent comparable a mounts of time in the cage area containing familiar antagonist odors, however, and the durations of subordinates were mildly elevated, rathe r than decreased, when unfamiliar conspecific odors were present. Ther e were no group differences in any of the appetitive behaviors. These findings suggest that apparent preferences for conspecific odors may a rise from quantitatively and/or qualitatively differing emotional stat es. The inclusion of risk assessment measures is suggested to be a use ful adjunct for studies of olfactory preference/rejection. (C) 1994 Wi ley-Liss, Inc.