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Biol Reprod

Title:		Activation of estrus by pheromones in a marsupial: stimulus control and endocrine factors
Author(s):		Fadem BH;
Address:
Journal Title:		Biol Reprod
Year:		1987
Volume:		36
Issue:		2
Page Number:		328 - 332
DOI:		10.1095/biolreprod36.2.328
ISSN/ISBN:		0006-3363 (Print) 0006-3363 (Linking)
Abstract:		"Little is known about the effects of social factors or about the hormonal control of social factors on reproduction in marsupials. In previous studies on the gray opossum, a small, Brazilian didelphid, the presence of males was found to activate reproduction in females. In this study, the effects of pheromones produced by intact males, castrated males, and intact females on estrus in female gray opossums was examined. It was found that females housed alone rarely showed spontaneous periods of estrus, that exposure to pheromonal cues provided by intact males reliably induced estrus in 75-100% of the experimental females, and that pheromonal cues provided by castrated males or intact, stimulus females induced estrus in 25% of the experimental females. These findings are discussed with respect to the ecology, social behavior, and reproductive characteristics of the didelphid marsupials"
Keywords:		"Animals Endocrine Glands/*physiology Estrus/*physiology Female Male Opossums/*physiology Orchiectomy Pheromones/*physiology Sexual Behavior, Animal/physiology Testis/physiology;"
Notes:		"MedlineFadem, B H eng HD-16018/HD/NICHD NIH HHS/ Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S. 1987/03/01 Biol Reprod. 1987 Mar; 36(2):328-32. doi: 10.1095/biolreprod36.2.328"