Harderian letdown in male mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) contributes to proceptive behavior

Adult female gerbils in estrus, like other female rodents, tend to engage in proceptive displays toward conspecific males. The displays, which may be interspersed with the more usual female agonistic activity, if the males are strangers, are preceded by female olfactory investigation of those head areas in the male gerbil where Harderian letdown accumulates most densely. This study explored the possibility that the male Harderian glands are a source of olfactory signals which promote proceptive behavior but suppress female agonistic behavior. Female gerbils in estrus were found to display significantly less than normal rates of proceptive behavior toward Harderianectomized males. The proceptive activity which was observed appeared to be slowed, but the typical pattern was retained. Female aggression, however, was not affected by their estrous condition or by the Harderian state of the males. Possibly Harderian letdown in male gerbils may inform females as to the reproductive competence of the males.