Consequences of placentophagia by adult virgin male California mice (Peromyscus californicus)

Abstract

Highlights-Males of some biparental species eat placenta when their young are born.-We studied the effects of placentophagia in sexually naive male California mice.-Placenta treatment had no effect on paternal behaviors.-Placenta treatment decreased latencies to approach pups and novel objects.-Placenta treatment decreased fos expression in bed nucleus of the stria terminalis.