midventral gland secretion

Seasonal changes in the hormonal response of Eversmann hamster (Allocricetulus eversmanni, Cricetinae, Rodentia) males to conspecific females’ olfactory signals

Reproductive success demands both the male and female getting a particular physiological status, which is usually provided in rodents by certain olfactory signals. The hormonal response of Eversmann hamster (Allocricetulus eversmanni) males to the natural excretes (urine, midventral gland secretion (MVGS)) of conspecific females was studied during several seasons of the year, the animals kept in the conditions of natural lighting and temperature regimes. In the autumn, no reliable changes of the testosterone level in males in response to any presented signal were noted.