Modulation of male mouse genital sniff, attack, and mount behaviors by urogenital substances from estrous females.
The modulation of attacks, genital sniffs, and mounts in male SJL/J mice by ovarian-dependent urogenital substances in the urine voided by estrous females was examined. Urogenital substances were applied onto the external urogenital areas of ovariectomized mice. When compared with urine voided by estrous females, which stimulated genital sniffing, mounting, and reduced aggression, bladder urine was ineffective. Genital sniffing and mounting was stimulated by estradiol-17 beta, vaginal fluids, and preputial extract. Aggression was reduced by estradiol-17 beta, urethral catheterized urine, and vaginal fluids. Preputialectomy reduced, but did not eliminate, urinary stimulation of genital sniffing and mounting. Preputial extract stimulated aggression. Urogenital substances from ovariectomized females were ineffective in reducing attacks and stimulating genital sniffs and mounts. It was concluded that the ovarian-dependent chemosignals in the urine voided by estrous females are contributed by the urethra, vagina, and preputial gland, perhaps in part through the excretion of unconjugated estrogens.
Weinhold
L L
LL
Fordham University, Department of Psychology, Bronx, New York 10458.
Ingersoll
D W
DW
D000378:Agonistic Behavior / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D003307:Copulation / Q000502:physiology; D004958:Estradiol / Q000652:urine; D004971:Estrus / Q000652:urine*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D010675:Pheromones / Q000652:urine*; D012724:Sex Attractants / Q000652:urine*; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D012903:Smell / Q000502:physiology*; D014621:Vagina / Q000502:physiology*
D010675:Pheromones; D012724:Sex Attractants; D004958:Estradiol