EFFECTS OF NOVEL ODOR EXPOSURE ON MATERNAL AGGRESSION IN MICE

A variety of novel odors increase both risk assessment and defensive behaviors and inhibit offensive attack among male mice. In this experiment, the effects of a novel mammalian (wool) and nonmammalian (chocolate) odor on maternal aggression were examined. Both novel odors produced a mild suppression of lunge attacks. In addition, the chocolate odor reduced boxing behavior and the wool odor increased grooming. Neither odor altered other social behaviors. The results are consistent with previous data in suggesting that odor novelty evokes fear-motivated defensiveness and inhibits attack. These effects appear to be somewhat weaker than those seen among male mice, however.