Effect of limited and complete mating on ovaries and adrenals in band voles, Clethrionomys glareolus.

Complete mating of voles induced ovulation and large and healthy CL were formed. By 4 days after mating adrenal weight was twice that in unmated animals. Limited amounts of mating (i.e. 1-3 intromissions) induced ovulation, but the resulting CL were small and short-lived and no adrenal hypertrophy was seen. If limited mating was followed by mechanical genital stimulation, large CL and adrenal hypertrophy were induced. Mechanical genital stimulation alone induced ovulation (mostly small CL) in some females, but not adrenal hypertrophy. It is concluded that adrenal hypertrophy after mating in the bank vole is controlled by a neuroendocrine reflex mechanism separate from that controlling ovulation, but related to that controlling luteal function.