EFFECT OF ANOSMIA ON THE BEHAVIOR OF STANDARD NONAGGRESSIVE MALE-MICEOPPONENTS DURING AGONISTIC ENCOUNTERS

This study assessed whether the differences observed in a previous exp eriment [Martinez M, Salvador A, Simon VM (1994): Aggressive Behavior 20:441-451] in the behavior of isolated male mice over several agonist ic encounters in which they confronted either an ''anosmic'' or an ''i ntact'' non-aggressive ''standard opponent'' mere due to the differenc es in the behavior of the opponents themselves. Ethologically-inspired analysis mas used to assess the behavior of the opponents during the first agonistic encounter, Anosmic opponents spent less time in social investigation and defense and more time in immobility than intact one s. These results suggest that the differences in the behavior of the o pponents could be one of the causes of the differences observed in the behavior of the aggressive males confronting them. However, more rese arch is needed to study if other variables, such as the production of odors, are also affected by the state (deprived or intact) of the olfa ctory sense, These findings provide additional support for the view th at the type of opponent used in studies on intermale aggression is of paramount importance, (C) 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.