Abstract
Ability to smell is a prerequisite for normal mating and social behavior in male Syrian golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus). Four experiments were performed to determine some of the effects of female hamster vaginal discharge, a possible source of socially important pheromones, on the behavior of male hamsters. 1. Male hamsters actively sniff and lick the vaginal discharge from female hamsters during normal courtship and mating. 2. Male hamsters are highly attracted to the odor from a bottle containing female hamster vaginal discharge, but they do not sexually mount the bottle. 3. Males mount and display other sexual activity toward an anesthetized male hamster scented with vaginal discharge. 4. Males also attempt copulation and show decreased aggression toward active male hamsters scented with vaginal discharge.
Published Version
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