Central control of territorial marking in the mongolian gerbil

Evidence is given that small doses of testosterone, either injected into the lateral ventricles or implanted with cannulae in the hypothalamus, can evoke the behavior of Mongolian gerbils.

Abstract

Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) mark objects in their environment with a ventral sebaceous scent gland. The response is androgen-dependent. This report gives evidence that small doses of testosterone, either injected into the lateral ventricles or implanted with cannulae in the hypothalamus, can evoke the behavior. Control implants into the hypothalamus or testosterone implants into other brain areas are ineffective. Actinomycin D, when combined with testosterone in the ventricles, blocks the induction of marking.