Androgen Control of the Sexual Maturation Pheromone in House Mouse Urine1

Abstract

Changes in the capacity of male or female mouse urine to accelerate sexual maturation in female mice was measured following castration and replacement with testosterone propionate (TP). In the male, pheromonal activity declined significantly within two days after castration and disappeared between 10 and 15 days. After a single, 1.0 mg dose of TP, activity reappeared within 24 h and reached maximum levels by 60 h. In these experiments pheromonal activity was significantly correlated with urinary protein levels. Pheromonal activity, androgen-dependent organs and plasma testosterone increased with increasing doses of TP. Total urinary proteins were not significantly correlated with this activity. The activity of urine from TP-treated females equalled that from gonadally intact males. Pheromonally active urine did not consistently accelerate body growth of juvenile females.