Mennella J A, Moltz H
University of Chicago, IL 60637.
Physiol Behav. 1988;42(3):303-6. doi: 10.1016/0031-9384(88)90087-x.
The present study constitutes the first demonstration that vomeronasal chemoreception plays a role in the response of the virgin male rat to conspecific newborn. Specifically, it shows that virgin males, after removal of the vomeronasal organ, exhibit a decrease in the incidence of infanticidal behavior. This finding is discussed in terms of how responsiveness to young can be affected by changes in the accessory olfactory system.
