Effects ofY-chromosome variants on the male behaviour of the mouseMus musculus

Abstract

SUMMARYA study of crosses between CBA/FaCam and C57B1/6Fa mice revealed an effect of the origin of theY-chromosome on testis weight and aggressive behaviour, but failed to reveal any effect on sexual behaviour and androgen metabolism. There is therefore no evidence that androgens mediate theY-linked variation in aggressive behaviour and testis weight. On behavioural grounds, it is difficult to compare measures of sexual and aggressive behaviour, but it appears from these results that there are major genetic components on theY-chromosome controlling the development of sexual and aggressive behaviour which are distinct.