Social hierarchy position in female mice is associated with plasma corticosterone levels and hypothalamic gene expression.

ABSTRACT: Social hierarchies emerge when animals compete for access to resources such as food, mates or physical space. Wild and laboratory male mice have been shown to develop linear hierarchies, however, less is known regarding whether female mice have sufficient intrasexual competition to establish significant social dominance relationships. In this study, we examined whether groups of outbred CD-1 virgin female mice housed in a large vivaria formed social hierarchies. We show that females use fighting, chasing and mounting behaviors to rapidly establish highly directionally consistent social relationships. Notably, these female hierarchies are less linear, steep and despotic compared to male hierarchies. Female estrus state was not found to have a significant effect on aggressive behavior, thoug

SUBMITTER: Williamson CM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6513839 | biostudies-literature | 2019 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature