Sex differences in odor-stimulated flank marking in the golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus).

To determine whether sex differences exist in the frequency of odor-stimulated flank marking, intact male and female hamsters were exposed to the recently vacated home cages of male stimulus hamsters for a 10-min test on 4 consecutive days. Females were found to mark at significantly higher levels than males. To investigate the role of gonadal hormones in the sex differences in flank marking, gonadectomized male and female hamsters were implanted with Silastic capsules containing estradiol or testosterone. Females exhibited twofold higher levels of odor-stimulated flank marking than males, and the amount of flank marking was significantly higher when the hamsters were administered testosterone than when they were administered estradiol. These data demonstrate that sex differences exist in the frequency of flank marking stimulated by the odors of male hamsters, and that these sex differences do not appear to result from the typical sex-specific patterns of circulating levels of estradiol and testosterone.