Scent, social status, and reproductive condition in rat-like hamsters (Cricetulus triton)

This study investigated the interrelations among scent glands, social status, and reproductive conditions in male rat-like hamsters (Cricetulus triton), along with differential attraction of estrous females to conspecific males with different social status and reproductive condition. First, there were positive correlations between testes weights and flank glands and midventral glands. Second, castrated males were dominated by both intact mates and castrated males treated with testosterone. Third, estrous females were less attracted to the scents from flank glands and midventral glands of castrated males, Moreover, dominant males had heavier testes and higher levels of circulating testosterone, and estrous females were more attracted to dominant males' scents. Our results indicated that estrous females were able to discriminate between the odors of two strange males with differences in reproductive conditions or social status. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.