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Physiol Behav

Title:		The role of estrogen and progesterone in the control of preputial gland sex attractant odors in the female rat
Author(s):		Lucas PD; Donohoe SM; Thody AJ;
Address:
Journal Title:		Physiol Behav
Year:		1982
Volume:		28
Issue:		4
Page Number:		601 - 607
DOI:		10.1016/0031-9384(82)90037-3
ISSN/ISBN:		0031-9384 (Print) 0031-9384 (Linking)
Abstract:		"Sexually experienced male rats were used to test the attractiveness of body odors of female rats. The attractiveness of these odors varied with the estrous cycle. Odors from female rats in proestrus were the most attractive to male rats and those from female rats during the darkness hours of diestrus the least attractive. The preputial glands appeared to be the source of these odors for the male rats showed no preference for the odors of proestrous female rats that had been preputialectomized. Administration of 1 microgram estrdiol benzoate (EB) for 5 days increased the attractiveness of body odors of ovariectomized rats. A higher dose of EB (5 microgram) had the same effect when administered for 1 or 5 days although the increase that occurred after 3 days was not significant. A single dose of progesterone (P) (500 microgram) on the other hand, decreased the attractiveness of ovariectomized female odors although no change was seen after 3 days of treatment. A single injection of P also decreased the attractiveness of odors of ovariectomized females that had received EB for 3 days. However, P failed to decrease the attractiveness of odors in ovariectomized females after preputialectomy. We conclude that the preputial glands are an important source of sex attractant odors in the female rat and that the changes in the release of these odors that occur throughout the estrous cycle and pregnancy are controlled by ovarian steroids. While estrogen acts to stimulate the production and release of these odors P appears to inhibit their release"
Keywords:		"Animals Estradiol/physiology Estrogens/*physiology Estrus Female Male Pheromones/*physiology Pregnancy Progesterone/*physiology Rats Rats, Inbred Strains Sebaceous Glands/*physiology Sex Attractants/*physiology Sexual Behavior, Animal/*physiology Smell/ph;"
Notes:		"MedlineLucas, P D Donohoe, S M Thody, A J eng Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't 1982/04/01 Physiol Behav. 1982 Apr; 28(4):601-7. doi: 10.1016/0031-9384(82)90037-3"