Stimuli-related variation in urination frequency of female white-tailed deer during the estrous cycle

• Published in: Applied animal behaviour science 1998-02, Vol.56 (1), p.71-75
• Main Authors: Gassett, J.W., Osborn, D.A., Rickard, J.K., Marchinton, R.L., Miller, K.V.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: COMPORTAMIENTO SEXUAL; COMPORTEMENT SEXUEL; MICCION; MICTION; ODOCOILEUS VIRGINIANUS; REPRODUCCION; REPRODUCTION; Semiochemical; Sexual behavior; SEXUAL BEHAVIOUR; URINATION; White-tailed deer
• ISSN: 0168-1591; 1872-9045
• DOI: 10.1016/S0168-1591(97)00055-5

We observed variations in urination frequency of female white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus) that appeared to be dependent on stage of the estrous cycle and type of disturbance stimuli, and evaluated possible causes for this potential chemosensory behavior. Eight does were exposed randomly to a teaser buck, other does, and a human disturbance for 5 min each day. For each doe, treatments were performed 15 times when the doe was not in estrus and 3 times during estrus. The number of urinations was recorded for each event. When disturbed, non-estrous does urinated more frequently than estrous does. Exposure of an estrous doe to another doe or to a human did not stimulate urination; in 4 test animals, exposure to a buck resulted only in occasional urination. In contrast, non-estrous does urinated infrequently in response to disturbance by another doe, or a human, whereas exposure to a teaser buck resulted in significantly higher urination frequencies. Urine undoubtedly provides valuable semiochemicals that stimulate reproductive behavior. Urine may also facilitate vomeronasal and / or olfactory communication between male deer and non-receptive females and act to prime males for the breeding season. Variation in urination due to stage of estrus may allow does to selectively provide olfactory cues to conspecifics during the breeding season.