Patterns of deposition of urine containing chemosignals that affect puberty and reproduction by wild stock male and female house mice (Mus domesticus)

Abstract

House mice release chemosignals in their urine that influence the timing of puberty and reproductive condition in conspecific females. These experiments tested the possibility that mice depositing urine containing chemosignals that affect puberty and reproduction do so differentially with respect to urine cues from conspecifics. Mice were tested in cages containing samples of urine or water on cotton in wire mesh capsules protruding from the cage floor. Their urine deposition patterns were recorded on squares of filter paper positioned below the cages. Males deposited more urine than females housed in groups, estrous females, diestrous females, or prepubertal females. All groups of mice deposited urine in a nonrandom fashion with regard to urine cues from conspecifics. Male mice deposited more urine near locations previously soiled by females than near water or other males. Grouped females deposited more urine near male urine cues and avoided depositing urine near urine from other group-housed females. Both estrous and diestrous female mice deposited more urine near males than near other urine cues or water, possibly to attract mates. Prepubertal females avoided depositing their urine near male urine and urinated more near urine from grouped females than near other urine types or water. Young females may be avoiding possible male mates until they have attained puberty. This avoidance behavior may enhance the long-term reproductive success of the females that otherwise might mature and mate at too young an age.