Volatile compounds associated with estrus in mouse urine: potential pheromones.

Female mice that had been made estrous through hormone implantation excreted in their urine significantly enhanced levels of n-pentyl acetate, cis-2-penten-1-yl acetate, p-toluidine, 2-heptanone, and 3 unsaturated ketones. The relationship of these volatiles to a signaling function of the estrous urine is postulated. Structural elucidations of these compounds were carried out through capillary gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and the synthesis of authentic samples.