The making of doting dads

What distinguishes a doting dad from a neglectful one? Princeton researchers have identified a molecular “off switch” for paternal care in African striped mice, one of the few mammalian species were some dads display paternal behavior. The study reveals that the gene Agouti — driven by social environment — suppresses activity in the brain’s parenting hub. High levels of Agouti caused males to attack pups, while low levels fostered caregiving, offering new clues into the biology of fatherhood.