Hormonal regulation of preputial gland function in male Microtus montanus, the montane vole

1. Preputial gland function in male Microtus montanus is androgen-dependent, both in terms of preputial weights and in the production of a series of lipids which are present in M. montanus and absent from Microtus pennsylvanicus. 2. Production of these species-typical lipids is decreased but not eliminated in castrates, as well as in adrenalectomized castrates treated with corticosterone. Therefore, in the total absence of androgens, a low level of these lipids is still produced. 3. 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone and 17 beta-estradiol enanthate have limited effects on maintenance of preputial weight, suggesting that testosterone itself is the active steroid in the preputial gland of this species.