Effects of social environment on sexual maturation in female cotton rats (Sigmodon hispidus). 1986

A M Evans, and P A McClure

Age at sexual maturation among female cotton rats was measured in a variety of intraspecific social environments. Two experiments were conducted. In Experiment I, female cotton rats attained vaginal perforation and first estrus at younger ages and lighter body masses when paired from weaning with a conspecific juvenile male than when caged alone. In Experiment II, these findings were replicated and extended. Females housed with juvenile males matured at the youngest ages, while those housed alone matured at the oldest ages. Females housed with adult males matured at intermediate ages. Presence of a second juvenile female during maturation was significantly associated with early vaginal opening but not with early first estrus. The results of this study are discussed in context of similar social environmental effects on female sexual maturation that have been identified in other rodent species.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D001835 Body Weight The mass or quantity of heaviness of an individual. It is expressed by units of pounds or kilograms. Body Weights,Weight, Body,Weights, Body
D003411 Arvicolinae A subfamily of MURIDAE found nearly world-wide and consisting of about 20 genera. Voles, lemmings, and muskrats are members. Clethrionomys,Cricetidae,Dicrostonyx,Lemmings,Lemmus,Mice, Red-Backed,Microtinae,Microtus,Muskrats,Ondatra,Voles,Arvicolines,Microtines,Mouse, Red-Backed,Myodes,Ondatra zibethicus,Arvicoline,Lemming,Mice, Red Backed,Microtine,Mouse, Red Backed,Muskrat,Red-Backed Mice,Red-Backed Mouse,Vole
D005260 Female Females
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D012726 Sexual Behavior, Animal Sexual activities of animals. Mating Behavior, Animal,Sex Behavior, Animal,Animal Mating Behavior,Animal Mating Behaviors,Animal Sex Behavior,Animal Sex Behaviors,Animal Sexual Behavior,Animal Sexual Behaviors,Mating Behaviors, Animal,Sex Behaviors, Animal,Sexual Behaviors, Animal
D012741 Sexual Maturation Achievement of full sexual capacity in animals and in humans. Sex Maturation,Maturation, Sex,Maturation, Sexual
D012931 Social Environment The aggregate of social and cultural institutions, forms, patterns, and processes that influence the life of an individual or community. Social Context,Environment, Social,Social Ecology,Context, Social,Contexts, Social,Ecologies, Social,Ecology, Social,Environments, Social,Social Contexts,Social Ecologies,Social Environments

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