What effect does mating with a sterile male have on a female mouse undergoing pseudopregnancy?

Mating with a sterile male can significantly influence the physiological state of a female mouse, especially when it comes to pseudopregnancy. During pseudopregnancy, the female mouse's body behaves similarly to a pregnant state, even though no fertilization has occurred. When a female is mated with a sterile male, it stimulates the release of hormones such as progesterone, which prepares the body for a potential pregnancy. This hormonal release mimics the natural physiological processes that occur during actual mating, leading to changes in the female's reproductive system that are characteristic of pregnancy, despite the non-viability of the mating.

This stimulation is crucial, as it impacts the overall reproductive health and readiness of the female mouse. The other options do not accurately reflect the primary effects associated with mating a female mouse to a sterile male. For instance, while it may seem logical to assume that egg production would increase or that stress levels would decrease, these outcomes aren’t the primary biological responses during pseudopregnancy; instead, the hallmark changes are those driven by hormonal shifts rather than reproductive quantity or general health markers like disease. Thus, the correct answer focuses on the hormone release essential for preparing the female for a potential upcoming pregnancy scenario.