Mice: Postpartum Aggression is Elevated Following Prenatal Progesterone Exposure

Pregnant Rockland-Swiss (R-S) mice were injected with sesame oil or 250 or 500 micrograms of progesterone (P) on Days 12 through 16 of gestation and the postpartum aggressive behavior of their female offspring was examined in adulthood. Both doses of P significantly increased the intensity of aggression (number of attacks) exhibited by the female offspring toward an adult male intruder. The low dose of P also produced significant increases in relative anogenital distance. These effects were seen in the absence of any effects on body weight at birth or in adulthood, or on reproductive performance. The findings support previous research, in both animals and humans, showing that prenatal brain differentiation and subsequent behavior are masculinized by prenatal exposure to progesterone.