Male hamster copulatory responses to a high molecular weight fraction of vaginal discharge: Effects of vomeronasal organ removal

摘要: Abstract The importance of the vomeronasal (accessory olfactory) system for copulatory responses male hamsters to a high molecular weight fraction (HMF) vaginal discharge was assessed in animals that had their organs (VNO) removed. These were extirpated bilaterally using an oral approach through palate so as eliminate peripheral afferents accessory olfactory bulb (AOB) with minimal or no damage main system. selective deafferentation procedure verified by applying horseradish peroxidase intranasally following intraperitoneal injections epinephrine facilitate pumping mechanism draws fluids into VNO. Heavy, bilateral anterograde labeling evident nerve within males VNO removed and received sham surgery. Sham-operated also heavy, AOB, whereas such occurred among removal In sham-operated animals, both HMF unfractionated significantly increased incidence intromission attempts toward anesthetized (surrogate females) whose hindquarters scented these stimuli. produced significant elevation overt behavior system, did not animals. results are consistent hypotheses (1) is specialized reception relatively nonvolatile constituents excretions secretions used pheromonal communication, (2) gustatory processing cannot account aphrodisiac activity HMF, (3) systems, possibly other nasal chemosensory play important roles discharge.