The Origin and Hormonal Control of Scent Production in Suncus murinus

Abstract

The sideglands of Suncus murinus are not responsible for the characteristic musk production. Concentrations of sweat glands on the throat and behind the ears apparently produce this odor. Removal of both sebaceous sidegland pads did not result in loss of the musk odor. Bilateral castration caused sweat gland atrophy and cessation of musk production within 3 weeks in 11 males and in two of five females. Testosterone or estradiol implants caused sweat gland recovery and the resumption of odor production in castrates of both sexes, as did progesterone in males. Adrenocortical-like tissue around the epoophoron may have supported odor production in some castrates.