Female effect in sheep. II. Role of volatile substances from the sexually receptive female; implication of the sense of smell.
The importance of olfactory cues in inducing luteinizing hormone and testosterone secretion as a response to stimulation by sexually receptive ewes has been tested. In sexually experienced rams, olfactory stimulation with urine, wool and vaginal secretions from sexually receptive females placed in a mask did not induce an endocrine response. The female-induced secretion of LH and testosterone was similar in anosmic, sham-operated and in control rams. These results show that olfactory cues are not necessary in the mediation of interindividual stimulation of endocrine response in the sexually experienced ram.
Gonzalez
R
R
Laboratoire de Comportement Animal, INRA/CNRS, URA 1291, Monnaie, France.
Levy
F
F
Orgeur
P
P
Poindron
P
P
Signoret
J P
JP
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009812:Odorants; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D012756:Sheep / Q000502:physiology*; D012903:Smell / Q000502:physiology*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000378:metabolism; D014835:Volatilization
D013739:Testosterone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone