[The possible role of the harderian gland in the chemical communication of the hamster (Mesocricetus auratus Waterhouse, 1839)].

The hypothesis was tested on involvement of the Harderian gland in chemical communication of the Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus), a species in which smelling plays a leading role in initiation of many forms of social behavior. Experiments have been carried out, in which homo- and heterospecific olfactory stimuli were presented to recipients (adult males, n = 45). When the Harderian gland homogenates from males and females of the same species were presented in microtubes, the recipient males examine the female Harderian gland homogenates reliably longer. In an "open field" chamber the males spent more time near the box with the sawdust bedding from intact females than with the sawdust bedding from males or Harderectomized females. The control box was of least interest to them. When the immobile model was presented the frequency of behavioral elements of the male recipients characteristic of the reaction to a female decreased while that of elements typical for the reaction to a male increased in a sequence: female--male with applied vaginal secretory substance--male with the applied female Harderian gland homogenate--male. When the Harderian gland homogenates from the Syrian hamster and Campbell hamster female were presented, the homospecific stimulus was examined longer. Thus, the Harderian glands of the Syrian hamster produce olfactory stimuli with an attractive effect and containing information about species and sex. Besides, the Harderian gland homogenate masks the smell of an immobile male and stimulates, to some extent, elements of sexual behavior.