| Title: | The role of pheromones in the regulation of estrous cycle duration in the guinea pig |
| ISSN/ISBN: | 0028-3835 (Print) 0028-3835 (Linking) |
| Abstract: | "A decrease in estrous cycle duration, due to shortening of the period of vaginal closure (VC), has been observed in female guinea pigs exposed to the odor of urine from males of the same species. VC shortening was also observed in females exposed to the odor of female urine collected during the period of vaginal opening (VO). No alteration in VC duration occurred, however, in females exposed to urine collected in the 1st 7 days of VC. Also VC shortening did not occur in bulbectomized females exposed to the odor of male urine. Therefore, it was concluded that guinea pig urine, when highly concentrated, contains pheromones capable of shortening estrous cycle VC. The role of pheromones in the regulation of estrous cycle duration in the guinea pig is explored. In the 1st experimental series, normally cycling guinea pigs were exposed to the odor of urine until next vaginal opening (VO). The ovaries were examined 48-64 hours later and compared with controls. The guinea pigs were exposed to either male urine, female urine collected from females during VO, or urine collected from females during the first 7 days of vaginal closure (VC). A decrease in estrous cycle duration, due to shortening of the period of VC was observed in those guinea pigs exposed to the odor of male urine and to female urine collected during the period of VO. However, in females exposed to female uring during the first 7 days of VC this effect was absent. In the last series, guinea pigs underwent bulbectomy. From the onset of VC of the cycle following surgery until the subsequent VO, the floors of the cages were sprinkled with adult male guinea pig urine. VC shortening was absent. It is concluded that guinea pig urine, when highly concentrated, contains pheromones capable of shortening estrous cycle VC. eng" |
| Keywords: | "Animals Estrus/*drug effects Female Guinea Pigs Male Olfactory Bulb/physiology Ovulation/drug effects Pheromones/*pharmacology/urine Pregnancy Sex Factors Vagina/physiology *Animals, Laboratory Behavior Biology Clinical Research Endocrine System *Hormones;" |
| Notes: | "MedlineJesel, L Aron, C L eng Switzerland 1976/01/01 Neuroendocrinology. 1976; 20(2):97-109. doi: 10.1159/000122474" |
