Long-chain alkyl acetates in the preputial gland of the mouse☆

Lipid extracts of the preputial glands of male mice of two different strains contain about 5% of n-alkyl-(I) acetates, the major constituents being hexadecyl, hexadecenyl and octadecyl acetates. The preputial glands of male mice are much larger than those of the females. The lipids in preputial glands of female mice contain less than 1% long-chain alkyl acetates. The size, lipid content and the relative amounts of alkyl acetates in the preputial glands of female mice can be increased by intramuscular injections of testosterone esters.