A Comparison of Effects of Simple Experimental Manipulations On Fighting Generated By Breeding Activity and Predatory Aggression in 'To' Strain Mice

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Abstract
A preliminary study was conducted to examine the influences of simple experimental manipulations on aggressiveness generated by breeding activity and locust-killing behaviour (a form of predatory aggression?) in 'TO' strain mice. In females, where response to a male intruder was the form of intraspecific aggression investigated, factors examined included: a) female's reproductive status (namely pregnant or lactating) ; b) time since parturition; c) gonadal steroid production; d) anosmia. In males, rank-related fighting and locust killing were contrasted in animals from the breeding situation, from individual housed mice and from unisexual groups of experimental animals. A comparison of these intra- and inter-specific forms of aggression confirm that they can be influenced in very different ways by situational and physiological variables. Both maternal aggression and rank-related fighting were suppressed by anosmia. The results reiterate the need to specify which form of 'aggression' is being used in a particular study. A preliminary study was conducted to examine the influences of simple experimental manipulations on aggressiveness generated by breeding activity and locust-killing behaviour (a form of predatory aggression?) in 'TO' strain mice. In females, where response to a male intruder was the form of intraspecific aggression investigated, factors examined included: a) female's reproductive status (namely pregnant or lactating) ; b) time since parturition; c) gonadal steroid production; d) anosmia. In males, rank-related fighting and locust killing were contrasted in animals from the breeding situation, from individual housed mice and from unisexual groups of experimental animals. A comparison of these intra- and inter-specific forms of aggression confirm that they can be influenced in very different ways by situational and physiological variables. Both maternal aggression and rank-related fighting were suppressed by anosmia. The results reiterate the need to specify which form of 'aggression' is being used in a particular study.