Rat cheek gland compounds: behavioural response to identified compounds.

Cheek gland secretions from sexually mature and reproductively active male and female laboratory rats (Wister strain), Rattus norvegicus albinus were analysed by gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy. Alkanes, aliphatic acids esters and alcohols were identified in the secretions. Cheek gland preparation from males contained predominantly three compounds, viz. di-n-octyl phthalate (I); 1,2-benzene diacarboxylic acid butyl (2-ethyl hexyl) ester (II); and 1,2 benzene dicarboxylic acid (2-methylpropyl) ester (III) whereas in the cheek gland of females two compounds, viz, 1,2-benzene dicarboxylic acid (2-methylpropyl) ester (I); and 2,6,10 dedecatrien-1-ol, 3,7,11-trimethyl-(Z, E) (II) were the major fractions. The identified compounds were tested for odour preferences. Compounds II and III of males and I and II of females attracted both male and female conspecifics. By contrast, compound I from males only attracted females. The level of attraction also varied from compound to compound. The results suggest that cheek gland secretions have pheromonal functions.