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Abstract
In female prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster) bilateral olfactory bulbectomy reduced
affiliative behavior, as measured by social contact, and prevented the formation of
partner preferences. Unilateral olfactory bulb removal did not significantly influence
affiliative behavior, but did inhibit partner preferences. Bilateral, but not unilateral,
bulbectomy significantly reduced the proportion of females exhibiting behavioral estrus
following male exposure. In contrast to affiliative and sexual behavior, parental
behavior was not significantly affected by either bilateral or unilateral olfactory
bulbectomy. These results suggest that divergent sensory-neural pathways underlie
social, sexual, and parental behaviors in this species.