The rodent preputial gland

Researches published in the last 2 years have advanced direct evidence for regarding the rodent preputial gland as a scent organ, confirming a speculation made at least as long ago as 1725. The gland is the source of olfactory stimuli which mediate behavioural responses in social and sexual interactions between conspecifics. Although the gland has received little direct attention from investigators, a considerable amount of information on it is available. Most of this was gained ancilliary to other, and very diverse, research objectives so that the literature is very scattered. These references are collated to present a comprehensive review of knowledge of the biology of the rodent preputial gland. Theoretical concepts of population structure and regulation, involving density-dependent factors, require a sensory mechanism to activate the physiological effects attributed to social interactions. The preputial gland, as a source of olfactory cues, has all the biological characteristics required of such a sensory modulator.