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Cited by 611Animal Behavior and ReproductionAnimal Ecology and Behavior StudiesHypothalamic control of reproductive hormones

The Reproductive Ecology of the House Mouse

Bronson, F. H.·1979·The Quarterly Review of Biology
DOI 10.1086/411295
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Abstract

This paper attempts to integrate the physiological and ecological perspectives of the reproductive biology of the house mouse (Mus musculus). The endeavor is made within a larger context to provide a prototype for mammalian reproductive ecology in general. Specifically, the environmental regulation of the reproduction of Mus musculus is examined in relation to its ecological opportunism and, in particular, in relation to its history of global colonization. House mice can live as commensals of man or under totally feral conditions. Stable, high density, commensal populations are characterized by an insular division of the living space into demeterritories, each dominated by a single male. Feral populations typically are characterized by temporal, spatial, and social instability. Territoriality is improbable under such conditions, particularly given the necessity for large home ranges in most feral habitats. In both feral and commensal populations, however, male aggressiveness promotes the large-scale dispersal of young, all of which are potential colonizers. Of the ten or so environmental factors known to influence reproduction in house mice, seven probably are of routine importance in natural populations: diurnal modulation by daily light:dark cycles; caloric intake; nutrition; extreme temperature; agaonistic stimuli; socio-tactile cues; and priming pheronomes. The last two factors named operate directly on the secretion of luteinizing hormone or prolactin; the others act at…

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159 of 159 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • hM4D-expressing mice with MeA Ucn3 neuron inhibition spend more time outside the nest, scouting the territory, compared with control mice.

    “Compared with control mice, hM4D-expressing mice spent more time outside the nest, scouting the territory-a resource typically dominated by the alpha male 36 (Fig. 7d).”

    From Ucn3 and CRF-R2 in the medial amygdala regulate complex social dynamics (2016) · cites this paper as [36]

  • In rich and complex environments, mice usually live in groups consisting of a few subordinate males and breeding and nonbreeding females, all dominated by a single male.

    “In rich and complex environments, mice usually live in groups consisting of a few subordinate males and breeding and nonbreeding females, all dominated by a single male 36 .”

    From Ucn3 and CRF-R2 in the medial amygdala regulate complex social dynamics (2016) · cites this paper as [36]

  • In nature, social dominance is frequently determined by fighting among members of the group, which in turn determines access to mating opportunities, food, and territory.

    “In nature social dominance is frequently determined by fighting among members of the group, which in turn determines access to mating opportunities, food, and territory 36 .”

    From Ucn3 and CRF-R2 in the medial amygdala regulate complex social dynamics (2016) · cites this paper as [36]

  • The tolerance of the dominant male to intruders or to in-group subordinates varies widely and depends on the structure of the habitat.

    “The tolerance of the dominant male to intruders or to in-group subordinates varies widely and depends on the structure of the habitat 36 .”

    From Ucn3 and CRF-R2 in the medial amygdala regulate complex social dynamics (2016) · cites this paper as [36]

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Authors
Bronson, F. H.
Corresponding author
Bronson, F. H.
Venue
The Quarterly Review of Biology
Publisher
University of Chicago Press
Published
1979-09
Volume
54
Issue
3
Pages
265-299
ISSN
  • 0033-5770 (ISSN-L)
  • 1539-7718
DOI
10.1086/411295
OpenAlex
W2026796978
Cited by
611
References
159
Citations by year
2026: 10 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 15 · 2023: 13 · 2022: 16 · 2021: 10 · 2020: 14 · 2019: 16 · 2018: 19 · 2017: 13 · 2016: 10 · 2015: 10 · 2014: 11 · 2013: 15 · 2012: 13
FWCI
27.82
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • The Quarterly Review of Biology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics › Animal Behavior and Reproduction
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Hypothalamic control of reproductive hormones
Keywords
house mouse, Mus musculus, reproductive ecology, feral populations, territoriality, male dispersal, home range, photoperiod, light-dark cycle, energy intake, nutrition, temperature effects, urinary pheromones, luteinizing hormone, prolactin, seasonal reproduction, constant darkness
MeSH terms
Animals, Animals, Wild, Energy Intake, Ecology, Nutritional Physiological Phenomena, Periodicity, Pheromones, Reproduction, Social Behavior, Temperature, Mice

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