Procaine hydrochloride olfactory block eliminates mounting in the male golden hamster

Intranasal profusion with procaine hydrochloride eliminated mounting and subsequent mating behavior in both sexually experienced and sexually inexperienced male golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus). Mounting behavior of control groups receiving intranasal application of tap water alone or in combination with intraperitoneally injected procaine hydrochloride was not markedly effected. Bouts of vaginal licking and sniffing were depressed by procaine hydrochloride, but not by tap water. These results indicate the elimination of mounting following olfactory bulbectomy in this species need not be explained on the basis of neurological degeneration to more central brain centers.