Protective influence of spayed and androgen-treated females on oestrous cycle in food-restricted mice.

Diet restriction induced disruption of oestrous cycle in regularly cycling female mice. The irregularities in the oestrous cycle in females were directly related to the degree of diet restriction. The presence of spayed and androgen-treated females prevented these irregularities and helped to maintain regular oestrous cycles in underfed females. The ability of androgen-treated females to prevent the irregularities in the oestrous cycle in underfed females was inversely related to the degree of diet restriction. The results suggest that the production of the male-originating pheromone that helps to prevent the underfeeding-induced disruption of oestrous cycles in females is androgen-dependent.