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PloS one2018; 13(2); e0191845; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0191845

Cycle-specific female preferences for visual and non-visual cues in the horse (Equus caballus).

Abstract: Although female preferences are well studied in many mammals, the possible effects of the oestrous cycle are not yet sufficiently understood. Here we investigate female preferences for visual and non-visual male traits relative to the periodically cycling of sexual proceptivity (oestrus) and inactivity (dioestrus), respectively, in the polygynous horse (Equus caballus). We individually exposed mares to stallions in four experimental situations: (i) mares in oestrus and visual contact to stallions allowed, (ii) mares in oestrus, with blinds (wooden partitions preventing visual contact but allowing for acoustic and olfactory communication), (iii) mares in dioestrus, no blinds, and (iv) mares in dioestrus, with blinds. Contact times of the mares with each stallion, defined as the cumulative amount of time a mare was in the vicinity of an individual stallion and actively searching contact, were used to rank stallions according to each mare's preferences. We found that preferences based on visual traits differed significantly from preferences based on non-visual traits in dioestrous mares. The mares then showed a preference for older and larger males, but only if visual cues were available. In contrast, oestrous mares showed consistent preferences with or without blinds, i.e. their preferences were mainly based on non-visual traits and could not be predicted by male age or size. Stallions who were generally preferred displayed a high libido that may have positively influenced female interest or may have been a consequence of it. We conclude that the oestrous cycle has a significant influence on female preferences for visual and non-visual male traits in the horse.
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Publication Date: 2018-02-21 PubMed ID: 29466358PubMed Central: PMC5842875DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0191845Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research explores how the oestrous cycle in female horses affects their preference for visual and non-visual cues in male horses. It was found that female horses’ choices regarding male traits were significantly influenced by their cycle, with oestrus mares mainly preferring non-visual traits, while dioestrus mares relied on visual cues.

Research Methodology

  • The researchers created four different experimental situations to observe the female horses’ behavior. They selected mares in different stages of their oestrous cycle: oestrus (period with high sexual proceptivity) and dioestrus (period of sexual inactivity), and allowed them to interact with male horses under different conditions.
  • In the first situation, mares in oestrus were allowed visual contact with stallions. In the second, mares in oestrus were exposed to stallions but with wooden partitions (blinds) blocking their visual contact while still permitting acoustic and olfactory communication.
  • In the third situation, mares in dioestrus were permitted to see stallions, and in the last one, mares in dioestrus were presented with stallions, but with visual contact obstructed by blinds.

Measurement and Findings

  • The researchers measured the contact times of the mares with each stallion, defining contact time as the cumulative duration a mare spent near an individual stallion and was actively seeking contact.
  • The preferences of mares were found to change according to the stage of their oestrous cycle. They found that dioestrus mares (those in the sexually inactive period) showed different preferences for visual traits compared to non-visual ones. These mares favored older and larger males when visual cues were accessible.
  • On the contrary, oestrous mares (those in the sexually active period) demonstrated consistent preferences, irrespective of the presence or absence of visual cues. Their selections were primarily based on non-visual traits and were not influenced by the age or size of the males.
  • Irrespective of the stage of the oestrous cycle, stallions that were generally preferred exhibited high libido, which the researchers suggest may have enhanced female interest, or may have been a result of it.

Conclusion

  • The researchers concluded that the stage of oestrous cycle markedly affects female horses’ preferences for visual and non-visual male traits. This research provides valuable insight into understanding the dynamics of mate choice in horses and possibly, other mammals.

Cite This Article

APA
Burger D, Meuwly C, Thomas S, Sieme H, Oberthür M, Wedekind C, Meinecke-Tillmann S. (2018). Cycle-specific female preferences for visual and non-visual cues in the horse (Equus caballus). PLoS One, 13(2), e0191845. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0191845

Publication

PloS one
ISSN: 1932-6203
NlmUniqueID: 101285081
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 13
Issue: 2
Pages: e0191845
PII: e0191845

Researcher Affiliations

Burger, Dominik
  • Swiss Institute of Equine Medicine ISME, University of Berne, and Agroscope, Avenches, Switzerland.
Meuwly, Charles
  • Swiss Institute of Equine Medicine ISME, University of Berne, and Agroscope, Avenches, Switzerland.
Thomas, Selina
  • Swiss Institute of Equine Medicine ISME, University of Berne, and Agroscope, Avenches, Switzerland.
Sieme, Harald
  • Unit for Reproductive Medicine-Clinic for Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hanover, Germany.
Oberthür, Michael
  • Institute for Reproductive Biology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hanover, Germany.
Wedekind, Claus
  • Department of Ecology and Evolution, Biophore, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
Meinecke-Tillmann, Sabine
  • Institute for Reproductive Biology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hanover, Germany.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Estrous Cycle
  • Female
  • Horses / physiology
  • Male
  • Vision, Ocular

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

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