Purpose of Flehmen Behavior
Flehmen behavior also plays a role in reproductive synchrony between females, as studied in the sable antelope. The frequency of flehmen changed seasonally with the highest levels just prior to conception. Female antelopes associated closely with other females in the same reproductive state. Flehmen rates between females anticipated birth synchrony. Additionally, the level of synchrony was predicted by the frequency of female urine sampling during the previous year. Flehmen is a mechanism used by female sable antelopes to manipulate the timing of both conception and birth of offspring. In the American bison, flehmen behavior of females has also been shown to stimulate the onset of estrus and copulation synchronization.
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