Suppression of oestrus-inducing pheromone production in the Indian field mouse, Mus booduga Gray, by treatment with an antiandrogen.
The effect of cyproterone acetate (CA) on the production of the male-originating oestrus-inducing pheromone in the Indian field mouse, Mus booduga Gray was investigated. The anoestrus induced in regularly cycling females by unisexual grouping was reversed by exposure to intact males. The majority of male-exposed females returned to oestrus within seven days, with a peak on the fourth-day. By contrast, exposure to CA-treated males failed to induce oestrus in grouped females. Since CA is a potent antiandrogen, the inability of CA-treated males to induce oestrus in females is interpreted as due to the depression of the production of the androgen-dependent pheromone. The results provide evidence in favour of the concept that the oestrus-inducing pheromone in the Indian field mouse is associated with androgens either directly or indirectly through some androgen-dependent gland.
D000818:Animals; D003534:Cyproterone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004971:Estrus / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D010675:Pheromones / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012737:Sex Factors; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*
D010675:Pheromones; D003534:Cyproterone