Odour in Mice

Abstract

LABORATORY mice sometimes produce a characteristic mousy smell, which on occasion can be obtrusive and unpleasant. This smell comes from the secretion of the preputial glands in the male, and its purpose is to mark territory or establish dominance. Certain conditions will provoke this secretion, among them putting the mice into a clean cage, which has to be promptly marked by the males. Thus, paradoxically, frequent cage changing will result in a smellier mouse room than one in which cages are changed only once in 2, 3 or 4 weeks. This is perfectly compatible with health and hygiene if a suitably absorbent bedding material is used.