Impact of socio-sexual conditions on the epididymis and fertility in the male mouse.

The influence of previous sexual experience and subsequent differential housing on the epididymis and fertility index was studied for male Swiss albino cc mice. Among animals with previous sexual experience those having a high epididymal beta-glucuronidase activity showed a high fertility index and vice versa. The reproductive potential of animals without previous sexual experience was reduced by housing in high-density groups and in isolation. The results show that previous sexual experience, individual housing and group volume may influence the reproductive potential of male mice.