IDENTIFICATION AND PURIFICATION OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS FROM THE CLITORAL GLAND OF THE SOFT FURRED FIELD RAT, MILLARDIA MELTADA TO DEVELOP PHEROMONE TRAPS FOR THE RODENT PEST MANAGEMENT

The present investigations were carried out to find out the chemical nature of the clitorial gland extracts of the soft furred field rat, Millardia meltada and their involvement in reproductive and social behavior. Homogenates of clitoral gland of mature estrous female rats were extracted with n-hexane and dichloromethane (1:1 ratio v/v) and analyzed by gas chromatography linked mass spectrometry. Three peaks were found to be in higher concentration, which were identified as 6,11-dihydro-dibenz-b,e-oxepin-11-one (I); 2,6,10-dodecatrien-1-ol-3,7,11-trimethyl (Z) (II); and 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid butyl (2-ethylpropyl) ester (III). Odour preference tests demonstrated that the first compound attracted conspecifics of the opposite sex. By contrast, the second and third compounds were found to attract both sexes. The results conclude that the clitoral gland extracts of rat contains three major chemical compounds which have a unique function in maintaining social and reproductive status