Complex social interactions involve communication through auditory, postural, visual and olfactory signals. In nature, Norway rats possess a complex social system which includes reproductive, territorial and agonistic behavior. Rats, like many other mammalian species including humans, utilize several channels of communication in the integration of their social activities. While it is clear that this species rely heavily on olfaction and tactile in their social communication, acoustical communication plays an important role as well. Rats communicate acoustically with ultrasonic vocalizations which are only audible by sophisticated instrumentation. Dr. Barfield has defined several different ultrasonic vocalizations that occur during different phases of reproductive activity. He will now elucidate the role of these ultrasonic calls in coordinating reproductive activity between males and females. The role that vocalizations by males play in facilitating impregnation and fertility in females will also be investigated. Rats serve as an important model system for mammalian reproductive physiology and behavior. An appreciation of the role of vocal communication in rat reproduction will enhance our general understanding of reproductive coordination. The questions proposed by Dr. Barfield are of theoretical importance and immediate relevance to research in the field of behavioral neuroendocrinology.
