The effects of neonatal androgenization of female hamsters on adult preference for female hamster vaginal discharge

The effects of neonatal exposure of hamsters to androgen on the development of an adult preference for female hamster vaginal discharge (FHVD) were investigated. Three groups treated on Days 2-3 postpartum (females administered testosterone propionate (TP) in a peanut oil base, females administered oil alone, and males administered oil alone) were combined factorially with four sequential adult conditions (intact, post-gonadectomy, post-gonadectomy plus TP therapy, and post-gonadectomy) to produce twelve experimental conditions. Statistical analysis indicated that neonatal oil females did not show a significant FHVD preference in any adult condition. Neonatal TP females displayed a significant FHVD preference only in the post-gonadectomy plus TP condition. Males retained a significant FHVD preference in all the adult conditions, although the preference shown in the two adult hormonal conditions (intact and post-gonadectomy plus TP) was significantly higher than the preference shown in the two nonhormonal conditions.