Effects of a cohabitant on preputial gland weight of male mice

Abstract

Unilaterally preputialectomized male mice were housed with either a male or a female. The preputial glands of the subjected males were increased in size by stimuli from a normal male across a barrier, and increased more substantially when periodic contacts with a normal male were provided. However, the periodic contacts with castrated male did not alter the glands. In contrast, contacts with normal females decreased preputial gland weight. The decrease was induced neither by cohabitation with an ovariectomized female nor by stimuli from a normal female across a barrier. © 1986.