Parental care and testosterone secretion in forest rodent males: Sensitization and androgenic stimulation of parental behavior

The reaction of males of three forest rodent species (Myodes glareolus, M. rutilus, Apodemus uralensis) to young animals in comparison with their morphological characteristics and androgenization level was studied. Demonstration of parental care was detected in males of two vole species (M. glareolus and M. rutilus) in case of regular contacts with them (sensitization effect). It was demonstrated that the testosterone concentration in the blood serum, as well as the testosterone content in the testicles of the M. glareolus males (demonstrating the parental care), was higher than in the sample of males inclined to infanticide. An increased testosterone content in the testes and blood serum was also found in the M. rutilus males that had contact with young animas. Neither demonstration of parental care nor significant differences in the testosterone concentration in the testes and blood serum were detected in the A. uralensis males.