Dosage Response of the Vesicular, Preputial, Anal, and Hip Glands of the Male Vole, Microtus montanus, to Testosterone Propionate

Abstract

The response ofthe vesicular glands and three specialized scent glands to testosterone administration after castration was studied in laboratory-reared Microtus montanus males taken from a recently established colony, which was begun with stock from northwestern Wyoming. The hip glands, obvious externally on the posterolateral region of the body. regressed markedly in experimental animals in the 6 to 8 weeks following castration. Following a 21-day series of injections oftestosterone propionate (seven doses), the correlation coefficients between dose and gland weight were 0.90 for vesicular glands, 0.46 for preputial glands, and 0.71 for anal glands. The correlation coefficients between dose and hjp gland measurements were 0.60 for length, 0.52 for width, and 0.59 for area. The results are discussed in the contexts of adaptive significance of the glands and the evolution of posterolateral skin glands among the microtine rodents.). Mamm., 59(4): 1978 772 by guest on June 9, 2016

Chemical Signals in Vertebrates 4

“…Kendall rank correlation coefficients were obtained using the SAS (1982) program. In at least one species (M. montanus;Jannett, 1978b), all three scent glands are responsive to testosterone, so partial rank correlation coefficients were obtained wherein weight of the testes, presumably the primary source ..... …”

“…Inasmuch as the vesicular glands of ~. mont anus exhibited a stronger correlation with testosterone dosage than the scent glands (Jannett, 1978b) and may therefore reflect androgen levels, partial rank correlation coefficients were obtained wherein weight of the vesicular glands was statistically controlled. Lastly, because species varied in body weight, partial rank correlation coefficients were obtained, statistically controlling for body weight.…”

“…Lastly, even though all of the scent glands are responsive to testosterone in ~. montanus males, they are responsive to different degrees (Jannett, 1978b). …”

Influence of gonadal hormones on odours emitted by male meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus)

“…Odour-producing glands increase in size and secretory activity at puberty and during the breeding season when androgen concentrations are high (Quay, 1968;Christiansen et al, 1978;Jannett, 1978;Adams et al, 1980). Castration results in a decrease in the development and reduced secretory activity by specialized glands and tissues in the integu¬ ment; these changes are reversed by androgen replacement (Jannett, 1978;Powers et al, 1985;Rowsemitt et al, 1988;Johnston, 1990;Miernicki et al, 1990). Pituitary hormones may also affect odour production (Thody & Shuster, 1975;Keverne, 1981), independently of or synergistically with androgens (Ebling et al, 1975;Thody et al, 1976).…”