ROLE OF FEMALE PREPUTIAL GLANDS IN SOCIAL-BEHAVIOR OF MICE

Female mice reared by mothers with preputial glands preferred females with preputial glands over females deprived of preputial glands (p<0.02). Furthermore, such females preferred odors from males with preputial glands to odors from males without such glands (p<0.01). Females reared by mothers without preputial glands showed greater preferences for the odor of preputialectomized males (p<0.02) and females (p<0.01) than nonpreputialectomized animals. Odors common to males and females, emanating from preputial glands of the mother apparently influence early postnatal mice and determine their preferences in later life. © 1979.