The attractiveness of Harderian gland smears to sexually naive and experienced male golden hamsters.

The Harderian gland of the golden hamster shows pronounced sexual dimorphism in histology and products. Sexually experienced or inexperienced males were attracted to fresh smears of female and male Harderian gland as opposed to a control. Female smears were investigated significantly more than male smears. Control smears of quadriceps muscle proved unattractive. Neither category of male preferred oestrus to mid-cycle Harderian smears, and attractiveness did not correlate with protoporphyrin content. Males were unattracted to protoporphyrin solution. Cephalic olfactory cues, such as Harderian secretions, may be of importance in tunnel-dwelling rodents.