雄性北树鼩对不同繁殖期雌性尿液的气味辨别

Male Tupaia belangeri Distinguish Reproductive Stage of Females Based on Urine Odor

本研究以实验室驯化的雄性北树鼩为研究对象,利用Y-迷宫观察其对发情期、怀孕期、哺乳期雌性个体尿气味的选择行为,并利用GC-MS分析这3种生理期雌性尿液的挥发性物质组成。结果发现:(1)雄性在发情期和哺乳期雌性尿液气味源的停留时间显著大于怀孕期雌性尿液气味源的停留时间。(2)发情期尿液特有物质为Hexadecane;怀孕期特有物质为2,3-Hexanedione、2-Buten-1-ol和3-methyl-;哺乳期特有物质是Cyclohexanone和2-methyl-5-(1-methylethenyl)-。结果表明,北树鼩能根据尿液气味的化学组成差异辨别不同生理期的雌性,在配偶选择中更倾向于哺乳期的雌性。尿液在北树鼩的繁殖中发挥着重要作用,不同繁殖期雌性北树鼩尿液的化学成分存在较大差异,各繁殖期的特有挥发性物质可能是引起雄性北树鼩产生不同行为反应的原因之一。

We use a Y-maze to test the ability of laboratory domesticated male northern treeshrew （ Tupaia belangeri） to distinguish the reproductive state of females based on the odor of urine of fe- males in oestrus, gestation, and lactation. The volatile constituents of female urine of the three phases were analyzed by GC-MS. Male tree shrew duration of stay in the presence of the urine odor of oestrus was significantly longer than that for gestation. Hexadecane was the particular chemical component in the urine of oestrus. 2, 3-Hexanedione, 2-Buten-1 - ol and 3 - methyl- were the particular chemical components in the urine during gestation. Cyclohexanone, 2-methyl- 5-（1-methylethenyl）-was the particular chemical component in the urine of lactation. All of the re- sults indicated that the special chemical constituents in female urine influenced mate choice by males, and males prefered females in lactation. Urine exerts an important role in breeding of Tu- paia belangeri. The chemical composition of urine of females varied widely by breeding period based on the content of specific volatile substances. This explains the varied responses of males to females according to the reproductive status of the females.