title: Multiple exposures to adult males and reproductive activation of virgin female Microtus Ochrogaster.
abstract: Virgin female Microtus ochrogaster living in family groups were reproductively activated by twelve 1-hr exposures over a 3-day period to unrelated sexually experienced males. Reproductive activation among virgin females receiving six or eight exposures over a 2- or 3-day period did not differ significantly from that of unexposed control females. Thus, frequent multiple exposures to unfamiliar males (and repeated stimulation by a male urinary chemosignal) can override the reproductive suppression typically experienced by virgin females remaining in family groups.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ecology, Ethology, and Evolution, University of Illinois, 505 S. Goodwin, Urbana, IL 61801, U.S.A.
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Hofmann
authors.forename: L L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Getz