Preweaning experience in the control of mating preferences by genes in the major histocompatibility complex of the mouse

The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) of genes of the mouse influences mate choice. To test directly the role of rearing history, entire litters were fostered onto parents of the same or different MHC types. These studies indicate that the same set of genes involved in regulation of immune function also determines, in part, mate choice. A male bias in favor of females whose MHC types differ from the male's parental MHC types could serve to promote heterozygosity at the MHC.