Exposure to Females as a Variable in Territorial Aggression of the Laboratory Rat

Abstract

Four colonies of 4 male Long-Evans rats were tested for aggressive response to unfamiliar mature male isolates (n = 16) before and after exposure to ovariectomized or intact females. The hypothesis that exposure to intact females would increase aggressive response to male intruders was rejected. Observations and physical indicators of attack and associated stress indicated minimal fighting before and after exposure to females.