Social inhibition of sexual maturation in male prairie deer mice.

Abstract

The sexual maturation of male prairie deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus bairdii) that were reared with other males was inhibited in comparison with that of males reared in isolation. Inhibition occurred in males reared with 9 or 4 males of the same age and in those housed with 1 adult male. This phenomenon was observed after several periods of grouping and consequently at several ages ranging from 5 wk-4 mo. Females did not retard the sexual development of males. The sexual maturation of individual deer mice is probably modulated by the specific composition, rather than density, of the local group.