QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

HOME  |   SEARCH  |   ARCHIVE  |   SUBSCRIBE  |   CONTACT  |   HELP

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit an eLetter Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in Web of Science Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Web of Science (46) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Halem, H. A. Articles by Cherry, J. A. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Halem, H. A. Articles by Cherry, J. A.

 Previous Article  |  Next Article 

The Journal of Neuroscience, April 1, 2001, 21(7):2474-2480

Sex Difference and Steroid Modulation of Pheromone-Induced Immediate Early Genes in the Two Zones of the Mouse Accessory Olfactory System

Heather A. Halem¹, Michael J. Baum¹, and James A. Cherry²

Departments of ¹ Biology and ² Psychology, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215

Two anatomically and neurochemically distinct zones within the vomeronasal organ (VNO) and accessory olfactory bulb (AOB) have been identified that are responsible for the detection of pheromones. Using markers to distinguish between apical and basal neurons of the VNO neuroepithelium and rostral versus caudal AOB glomeruli, we examined immediate early gene immunoreactivity (IEG-IR) in gonadectomized, steroid-treated mice in response to pheromones of male and female conspecifics. After exposure of estradiol-treated females to soiled male bedding, more VNO neurons in the basal than the apical layer exhibited IEG-IR compared with VNO neurons of estradiol-treated males. Conversely, whereas soiled female bedding failed to induce IEG-IR in VNO neurons of estradiol-treated males or females, both apical and basal neurons were activated in testosterone-treated males. Male and female pheromones also activated mitral and granule cells in the AOBs of all subjects, but responses to different pheromones were distributed across the boundary of the rostral and caudal regions. These data show that differences in the response of males and females to the same pheromonal stimulus are found in the sensory neurons of the VNO. We propose that centrifugal, noradrenergic inputs to VNO neurons, which may differ in the two sexes and respond differently to adult sex steroids, modulate sensitivity to pheromonal stimulation.

Key words: vomeronasal organ; accessory olfactory bulb; steroid hormone; pheromone; sex differences; Fos; Egr-1

---

Copyright © 2001 Society for Neuroscience  0270-6474/01/2172474-07$05.00/0

This article has been cited by other articles:

				R. M. Belanger, M. D. Pachkowski, and N. E. Stacey Methyltestosterone-Induced Changes in Electro-olfactogram Responses and Courtship Behaviors of Cyprinids Chem Senses, January 1, 2010; 35(1): 65 - 74. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. Tirindelli, M. Dibattista, S. Pifferi, and A. Menini From Pheromones to Behavior Physiol Rev, July 1, 2009; 89(3): 921 - 956. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. L. Martel and M. J. Baum Adult Testosterone Treatment But Not Surgical Disruption of Vomeronasal Function Augments Male-Typical Sexual Behavior in Female Mice J. Neurosci., June 17, 2009; 29(24): 7658 - 7666. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. Crews, A. C. Gore, T. S. Hsu, N. L. Dangleben, M. Spinetta, T. Schallert, M. D. Anway, and M. K. Skinner Transgenerational epigenetic imprints on mate preference PNAS, April 3, 2007; 104(14): 5942 - 5946. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Keller, Q. Douhard, M. J. Baum, and J. Bakker Destruction of the Main Olfactory Epithelium Reduces Female Sexual Behavior and Olfactory Investigation in Female Mice Chem Senses, May 1, 2006; 31(4): 315 - 323. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				H. Kimoto and K. Touhara Induction of c-Fos Expression in Mouse Vomeronasal Neurons by Sex-specific Non-volatile Pheromone(s) Chem Senses, January 1, 2005; 30(suppl_1): i146 - i147. [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. N. Thompson, B.K. Robertson, A. Napier, and K. S. Wekesa Sex-specific Responses to Urinary Chemicals by the Mouse Vomeronasal Organ Chem Senses, November 1, 2004; 29(9): 749 - 754. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. E. Pankevich, M. J. Baum, and J. A. Cherry Olfactory Sex Discrimination Persists, Whereas the Preference for Urinary Odorants from Estrous Females Disappears in Male Mice after Vomeronasal Organ Removal J. Neurosci., October 20, 2004; 24(42): 9451 - 9457. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S.K. Woodley, A.L. Cloe, P. Waters, and M.J. Baum Effects of Vomeronasal Organ Removal on Olfactory Sex Discrimination and Odor Preferences of Female Ferrets Chem Senses, October 1, 2004; 29(8): 659 - 669. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Takigami, Y. Mori, Y. Tanioka, and M. Ichikawa Morphological Evidence for Two Types of Mammalian Vomeronasal System Chem Senses, May 1, 2004; 29(4): 301 - 310. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. M. Grozinger, N. M. Sharabash, C. W. Whitfield, and G. E. Robinson Pheromone-mediated gene expression in the honey bee brain PNAS, November 25, 2003; 100(suppl_2): 14519 - 14525. [Abstract] [Full Text]

Home  |   Search  |   Archive  |   Subscribe  |   Contact  |   Help