Androgen Control of the Sexual Maturation Pheromone in House Mouse Urine1

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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 2 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 equaled that from gonadally intact males. Pheromonally active urine did not consistently accelerate body growth of juvenile females. The induction and diminution of pheromonal activity is relatively rapid; this activity is dependent on the androgen state of the male and with androgen stimulation females are capable of pheromone production. Total urinary protein levels are correlated with pheromonal activity; however, phermonal activity is not a function of the total protein concentration of the urine. The androgen control of this system may have significant implications toward its function in rodent populations.