Chemicals present in urine of the solitary giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) are thought to play an important role in mate identification. During breeding season, females will deposit chemical signals to advertise receptivity to potential mates. The goal of this study was to determine if specific volatile compounds found in female urine could be considered as pheromones that elicit behavioral and physiological responses in males. The Wiley Registry 10th Edition/NIST 2012 Mass Spectral Library and other databases were used to identify components of the urine. Experimental simultaneous choice trials were conducted with captive male giant pandas. Androgen levels were significantly elevated (p < .05) in one male after exposure to 1H-pyrrole-2-carboxaldehyde, decanoic acid, and civetone. These data suggested that civetone and decanoic acid in female urine may motivate sexual responses in males.

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