The influence of the parental environment on sexual maturation in male mice

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Abstract
Experiments were designed to examine the influence of either one or both parents on the sexual maturation of male mice. A pregnant female and an adult vasectomized male were housed together and, at delivery, the litter was reduced to 6 pups, 3 of each sex. After weaning, mother, foster-father or both, stayed in cohabitation with their pups until sacrifice. The permanent presence of one or both parents did not affect either testicular growth or the age at first fertile matings. In maturing males (30-40 days), seminal vesicle growth was accelerated by the presence of the mother, inhibited by the presence of the foster-father. In maturing males, the presence of one or both parents lowered plasma testosterone levels. In 90-day-old males the same conditions increased testosterone levels. Only the endocrine function of the testis is affected by the parental environment. The effects are age-dependent.