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The effect of the sex of litter-mates on the subsequent behaviour and breeding performance of cross-fostered rats

1973; SAGE Publishing; Volume: 7; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1258/002367773781005996

1758-1117

Richard M. Sharpe, Audrey Morris, A. C. Wyatt,

Plant and animal studies

The response to drugs, the reaction to handling, and the breeding performance of rats bred in unisexual and in bisexual cross-fostered litters were compared. There was no significant difference in their response to drugs, although bisexually-reared animals consistently gave a more precise dose-response line to gonadotrophin. When handled unisexually-reared males defaecated more frequently and squeaked more loudly than bisexually-reared males, a difference not evident in the females. The rate of attainment of sexual maturity was similar in both rearing types but, when mated, bisexually-reared females produced larger litters.