Olfactory recognition in the male hamster: effect of non-aromatizable androgens, 17 beta-hydroxy-17 alpha-methyl-estra-4,9,11-triene-3-one (R 1881) and 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone, in combination with oestrogen.

Intact male hamsters show olfactory behaviour (sniffing and licking) to novel females. After exposure to female vaginal secretions, they show less sniffing towards a novel female if she does not match previously encountered odours (Steel, 1984). Male hamsters, castrated and injected s.c. with various steroids, were tested for the amount of sniffing they directed towards novel and mismatching females. 5 alpha-Dihydrotestosterone propionate (DHTP), 17 beta-hydroxy-17 alpha-methyl-estra-4,9,11-triene-3-one (methyltrienolone, R1881) and oestradiol benzoate alone did not influence olfactory behaviour, while testosterone propionate (TP), DHTP plus oestradiol and R1881 plus oestradiol all increased sniffing to a novel female over the levels shown by saline-treated, castrated controls. Our results also indicated that only the aromatizable androgen (TP) or non-aromatizable androgens DHTP and R1881, in combination with oestradiol, reduced sniffing directed to a mismatching female after exposure to vaginal odour. We conclude that both androgenic and oestrogenic actions are required not only for olfactory behaviour, but also for olfactory recognition as indicated by a reduction in sniffing directed towards mismatching females. This suggests that aromatization of testosterone may be involved in the control of olfactory processes associated with reproductive behaviour.