Olfactory control of the sexual behavior of male and female mice

Abstract

Bilateral removal of the olfactory bulbs virtually eliminates sexual behavior in male and female mice. In the studies reported here, mice were rendered anosmic by intranasal application of a zinc sulfate solution. Peripherally induced anosmia did not affect the sexual behavior of male mice. Peripherally induced anosmia attenuated the hormone induced display of sexual receptivity in female mice, but peripherally anosmic females were significantly more receptive than bulbectomized females. This finding suggests that (1) pheromonal factors may be involved in the full arousal of sexual receptiveness in female mice, but (2) that the effect of bulbectomy upon sexual receptivity in female mice cannot be attributed solely to the surgical production of anosmia. The general failure of peripherally induced anosmia to mimic the effects of olfactory bulb removal upon the display of sexual behavior in male and female mice suggests that the olfactory bulbs are importantly involved in the control of sexual behavior in some manner not related to sense of smell.