Steroidal modulation of scent investigation and marking behaviors in male and female ferrets (Mustela putorius furo)

Gonadectomized male and female ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) given either testosterone propionate (TP) or oil vehicle preferred to investigate the s ide of a test cage previously soiled by a breeding male or female as oppose d to a clean side. Male and female ferrets receiving TP showed more urogeni tal wiping than oil-treated animals in either side of the test cage. In a 2 nd experiment, ferrets treated sequentially with TP, oil, and estradiol ben zoate (EB) were given simultaneous access to sides of a test cage previousl y soiled by either a breeding female or male. Either EB or TP treatment of females and TP treatment of males facilitated the investigation of odors of opposite-sex ferrets. Females given TP and males given either TP or EB sho wed increased urogenital wiping in both sides of the test cage. Sex steroid s modulate scent investigation and marking in adult ferrets in a sexually d ifferentiated fashion.