Abstract
ABSTRACT Nocturnal golden spiny mice, Acomys russatus, become diurnal in the presence of congeneric common spiny mice, A. cahirinus, or to chemical signals released by them. Here we report on the influence of signals from fresh urine and feces released by A. cahirinus on aspects of the estrous cycle of A. russatus. The results of our study show that the length of the estrous cycle of A. russatus is not influenced by the presence of odors released from A. cahirinus. However, the frequency of occurrence of post-ovulatory increases in plasma progesterone concentrations suggests that the incidence of ovulation in A. russatus is affected by signals produced by the urine and feces of A. cahirinus. The mechanisms involved in the apparent suppression of ovulation or the formation of a functional corpus luteum require further investigation.
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