Science Central reports on research by Kelly Lambert of Randolph Macon College.

New findings by brain researcher Kelly Lambert, professor and chair of the psychology department at Randolph-Macon College, suggest that fatherhood may change more than just a man's lifestyle – it may actually cause lasting benefits in his brain.

Instead of prairie voles,Lambert used two species of  deer mice for her study.  Like the prairie and montain voles, one species is monogamous, the other is not. Although the males of the non-monogamous common deermouse don't engage in nurturing behavior with pups, their brains responded to proximity with a baby mouse by releasing oxytocin and vasopressin.

Lambert says this shows there are health benefits for fathers who help with childcare.

Thanks to A.E. Brain for the link to the article.