Olfactory bulb removal eliminates mating behavior in the male golden hamster.

Mating behavior in sexually naive and sexually experienced male golden hamsters was totally eliminated by removing their olfactory bulbs. In contrast, the mating behavior in blinded, unilaterally bulbectomized, and sham-operated controls was essentially normal. Testosterone injections restored normal sexual behavior in castrated controls but had no effect on the bilaterally bulbectomized animals.