Assessment of Sexual Behavior of Male Mice

Zi-Wei Liu; Ning Jiang; Xue Tao; Xiao-Ping Wang; Xin-Min Liu; Shui-Yuan Xiao

doi:10.3791/60154

Assessment of Sexual Behavior of Male Mice

JoVE Journal
Behavior

A subscription to JoVE is required to view this content. Sign in or start your free trial.

JoVE Journal Behavior

Assessment of Sexual Behavior of Male Mice

Full Text

22,171 Views

04:38 min

March 5, 2020

DOI: 10.3791/60154-v

Zi-Wei Liu¹, Ning Jiang², Xue Tao², Xiao-Ping Wang¹, Xin-Min Liu², Shui-Yuan Xiao³

¹Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders and National Technology Institute on Mental Disorders,Hunan Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health, ²Research Center for Pharmacology & Toxicology, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development (IMPLAD),Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, ³Department of Social Medicine and Health Management, Xiangya School of Public Health,Central South University

Overview

This article describes how to perform sexual behavior tests in male mice. The study of mouse sexual behavior can provide insights into the biological and social interactions influencing these behaviors.

Key Study Components

Area of Science

Neuroscience
Behavioral Biology
Animal Models

Background

Sexual behavior is influenced by biological, social, and environmental factors.
Understanding mouse sexual behavior can reveal complex interactions.
This study focuses on recording and analyzing male mice sexual behaviors.
Estrus induction in female mice is a critical step in the testing process.

Purpose of Study

To characterize and identify patterns of sexual behavior in male mice.
To facilitate the understanding of sexual behavior dynamics.
To establish a standardized testing procedure for future research.

Methods Used

Injecting Estradiol benzoate into female mice to induce estrus.
Placing male mice in a controlled open field environment.
Allowing exploration for 30 minutes daily over two days.
Recording the number and duration of sexual behaviors exhibited.

Main Results

The procedure allows for systematic observation of sexual behaviors.
Data collected can help identify behavioral patterns.
Results contribute to the understanding of sexual behavior dynamics in mice.
Facilitates further research into the biological underpinnings of these behaviors.

Conclusions

The study provides a reliable method for assessing sexual behavior in male mice.
Findings can inform future research in behavioral neuroscience.
Understanding these behaviors may have broader implications for studying sexual behavior in other species.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the significance of studying sexual behavior in mice?

Studying sexual behavior in mice helps researchers understand the biological and social factors influencing these behaviors, which can have broader implications for understanding similar behaviors in other species.

How is estrus induced in female mice?

Estrus is induced by injecting Estradiol benzoate into female mice, which prepares them for mating and allows for the assessment of male sexual behavior.

What are the key components of the sexual behavior test?

Key components include the injection of female mice, placement of male mice in a controlled environment, and systematic observation of their sexual behaviors.

How long are the male mice observed during the test?

Male mice are observed for 30 minutes each day over a period of two days.

What types of behaviors are recorded during the test?

The number and duration of various sexual behaviors exhibited by male mice are recorded during the test.

What can be learned from the results of this study?

The results can help identify behavioral patterns and contribute to a better understanding of the dynamics of sexual behavior in mice.

This article describes how to perform sexual behavior tests in male mice.

Sexual behavior is a dynamic and a complex process that's influenced by biologic, social, and the environment factors. The study of mouse sexual behavior can provide more information about this interactions. This procedure facilitates the recording of the number and the duration of male mice sexual behaviors to allow the identification and the characterization of mouse sexual behavior interactions and the patterns.

48 hours before the sexual behavior test, inject 20 micrograms of Estradiol benzoate in 100 microliters of sterilized olive oil intraperitoneally into a six to eight week old female mouse to induce estrus. On the same day, place the male mice to be tested in the center of a 40 by 40 by 40 centimeter square open field box with three black plexiglass walls and one transparent front wall. Allow the animals to explore the environment freely for 30 minutes per day for the next two days.

View the full transcript and gain access to thousands of scientific videos