Responses to feminine odors in normal and castrated male rats.

Abstract

Following a 50-dayperiodof cohabitation with females, 36 male rats were tested in their home cages for sexual vigor andforpreferenceforodorsfrom normal receptive vs. nonreceptive females. 2 mo. prior to odor preference testing, 13 sexually active and 6 inactive Ss[subjects] were castrated; 12 active and 5 inactive Ss served as controls. Active normal Ss preferred receptive-female odor over nonreceptive-female odor (p<.01), but inactive normal Ss and castrates showed no preference for either feminine odor. Active normal Ss spent more time than did other Ss investigating nonreceptive-female odor as well as receptive-female odor (p<.05).