Which statement best describes the Bruce effect?
A) Group-housed female mice show slower estrous cycles.
B) Spontaneous abortion in female mice is noted after exposure to the odor of a novel male.
C) Group-housed female mice show a faster estrous cycle.
D) Estrous cycles of group-housed female mice are synchronized after exposure to the odor of an intact male mouse.
E) The odor of a male mouse accelerates the onset of puberty in a female mouse.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Bruce effect is the phenomenon where a pregnant female mouse miscarries (spontaneous abortion) after being exposed to the odor of a novel male. This occurs because the female mouse's body recognizes that there is a new dominant male present and terminates the pregnancy to allow her to mate with the new male and produce offspring with better genetic diversity.

Which Statement Best Describes the Bruce Effect