Attraction of rats to sulfur compounds

Abstract

Adult male and female Sprague—Dawley rats were assayed for olfactory preference of various sulfur-containing compounds. Both sexes preferred dimethyl disulfide. Male rats were also interested in dimethyl sulfite and hexyl mercaptan odor, while females preferred methyl isothiocyanate. The three latter compounds were found to be present in rat preputial gland volatiles and may aid in sex recognition.