How prior pair-bonding experience affects future bonding behavior in monogamous prairie voles.

ABSTRACT: Monogamous prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster) form mating-based pair bonds. Although wild prairie voles rarely re-pair following loss of a partner, laboratory studies have shown that previous pairing and mating does not negate the ability to form a new partner preference. However, little is known about how prior bond experience may alter the trajectory and display of a new pair bond. In the present study, we disrupted an initial pair bond by separating partners and then varied the amount of time before a new partner was introduced. We assessed how separation time affected the stability of partner preference over time and influenced decision-making in male voles performing a head-to-head partner preference test in which they chose between the first and second partner. We found that the ab

SUBMITTER: Harbert KJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7725863 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature