Effects of repeated pup exposure on beahvioral, neural, and adrenocoritcal responses to pups in male California mice (Peromyscus californicus).

Highlights • Prior exposure to pups increased paternal behavior in virgin male California mice. • Responses to pups did not differ between fathers and previously pup-exposed virgins. • Responses to a novel object were not affected by prior exposure to the same object. • Previous exposure to pups did not alter basal or pup-induced corticosterone levels. • Prior exposure to pups did not alter Fos responses to pups in several limbic regions.