Further observations on the influence of the social environment on ovulation in the vole, Microtus agrestis.

Abstract

The influence of the social environment on ovulation was studied in voles. Female subjects were placed in 2 environments; 1 allowed auditory and olfactory contact with males with and without visual contact while the other allowed olfactory contact only through housing in male-soiled bedding. The experimental design excluded tactile contact. 1 of 15 animals ovulated in response to visual auditory and olfactory contact and 2 of 15 females ovualted in response to auditory and olfactory contact. Since 1 of 13 females ovulated in response ot the soiled-bedding environment it is possible that male pheromones may be involved in mediating the ovulatory response. Olfactory stimuli alone were relatively ineffective in mediating the induction of ovulation which suggests that tactile-dependent pheromones may be involved in the noncoital induction of ovulation.