The Functional Significance of Olfactory Cues in the Pine Vole (Microtus Pinetorum)

Abstract

Numerous studies have been conducted on the effects of rodent pheromones on reproduction. It appears that olfactory cues from members of the opposite sex stimulate reproduction and those from same-sex conspecifics suppress reproduction but this is not true for all species. Olfactory cues alone are ineffective in activating or suppressing reproduction in female pine voles. Female pine voles were not activated by exposure to male odors, but contact with a male resulted in uterine hypertrophy. In addition, a significantly smaller proportion of females produced litters if housed with a prospective mate and the mother but soiled bedding from the mother or family did not prevent production of litters. Although olfactory cues alone are not sufficient to activate or suppress reproduction, they are important in this species. When male and female pine voles are around weaning, they prefer to associate with familiar family odors. As they mature, their preferences change and they spend more time with olfactory cues from an opposite-sex conspecific than with odors from their family. Thus olfactory cues may be involved in dispersal from the natal nest and also in the timing of reproduction.