Meeting Abstract
House mice (Mus musculus) are a growing model for the study of context-dependent vocal communication. During courtship interactions, successful mating attempts are associated with a high level of production of ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) by males, and an increased proportion of specific classes of USVs. USVs have been well- studied, but there is very little information on the role of female broadband vocalizations (BBVs). BBVs are produced with female rejection behaviors, and are associated with decreases in the likelihood of male mounting. We examined the potential role of BBVs in courtship interactions by measuring the vocal and nonvocal behaviors of male mice exposed to a novel female with or without a BBV playback. We also compared the response of male mice to female calls between two strains (CBA/J and Balb/C) with different levels of sociality. In order to measure these responses without the impact of female rejection behaviors, males and females were placed on opposite sides of a plexiglass barrier with a single contact point that was large enough for olfactory investigation but not large enough for direct contact. In interactions with a barrier, males produced the same number of USVs as in natural interactions, including USV types associated with mounting attempts or close investigation. Both strains decreased their overall USV production when presented with BBV playback but only male CBA/J mice also decreased the number of mounting-associated USVs produced. No significant difference in duration of non-vocal male behaviors including, time at the contact point, digging, and self-grooming, was found between interactions with or without playbacks. These results suggest that BBVs alone modify male behavior and that this behavioral modification is related to the sociality of the strain.
