Variations in mouse (Mus musculus) urinary volatiles during different periods of pregnancy and lactation

Mouse urine samples from different pregnancy and lactation periods were examined by capillary gas chromatography to assess variations in the volatile signals that may affect the endocrine function of other females. Statistically significant changes in the excretion of certain urinary volatiles were observed; from 26 readily quantifiable constituents, 14 appear to be under the endocrine control. These selected components, positively identified through mass spectrometry and retention data, and the synthetic standards are ketones, unsaturated alcohols, esters, and cyclic vinyl ethers.