Intraspecific communication through chemical signals in female mice: reinforcing properties of involatile male sexual pheromones

In rodents, social and reproductive behaviors critically depend on chemical signals, including sexual pheromones that have been suggested (but not demonstrated) to be rewarding. In this work, we analyze this issue by studying the chemoinvestigatory behavior of adult female mice (without experience with male-derived chemicals) toward 1) the synthetic odorant citralva, 2) bedding soiled by different conspecifics (females, males, and castrated males), and 3) volatiles derived from bedding soiled by males and castrated males (confronted in 2-choice tests). We also study whether these chemical signals are able to induce conditioned place preference, a reliable test for rewarding properties of stimuli. The results show that involatile, male-derived chemicals elicit an intense and sustained chemoinvestigation and, more importantly, are the only tested chemical signals that induce conditioned place preference. In contrast, volatile, male-derived chemicals are not significantly chemoinvestigated. Bedding soiled by castrated males induces a transient chemoinvestigation, likely directed to steroid-independent, biologically relevant chemical signals, whereas the intense chemoinvestigation of female-soiled bedding shows a slow habituation. Finally, females did not explore significantly citralva-odorized bedding. The present work constitutes the first demonstration of the unconditioned reinforcing properties of involatile (likely detected by the vomeronasal organ) steroid-dependent chemical signals in mammals.     

Female preference for male saliva: implications for sexual isolation of Mus musculus subspecies

We studied the effects of a single genetic change on a complex mammalian behavior using animals congenic for two variants of Abpa, the gene for the alpha subunit of mouse salivary androgen-binding protein (ABP), in two-way preference tests. Females exhibited a preference for investigating salivas of males of their own genetic type of ABP but not for urines of either type of male. This preference behavior is consistent for samples of mice from geographically diverse populations of Mus musculus domesticus and M. m. musculus. These findings provide an explanation for the observation that this gene is evolving under strong selection.     

Glk: A locus controlling galactokinase activity in the mouse

Inbred strains of mice exhibit significant variation in whole blood galactokinase (GALK) activity. Activities tend to cluster into two classes, one class having approximately twice the activity of the other. Hybrids (F₁) between high and low strains have activity intermediate between the parental activities. Two sets of recombinant inbred (RI) lines were developed by brother-sister mating, beginning with F₂ generations of crosses between different pairs of high and low GALK activity strains. The RI lines segregated in terms of GALK activity, indicating single gene inheritance; this galactokinase locus has been designated Glk. The strain distribution patterns of both RI series agreed closely with esterase-3 (Es-3) alleles of the respective parental strains (31/34 independently derived strains were concordant for Es-3 and Glk genotypes), a finding consistent with a map distance between loci of 2.5 cM. Es-3 has been located on the distal end of chromosome 11. Glk, with its alleles Glk ^a (lower activity) and Glk ^b (higher activity), is therefore assigned to the same region.This project was supported by NIH Grants GM-02138 and GM-18684 from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences and HD-04861 and HD-00588 from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, and by a grant from the Clark Foundation, New York City. The Jackson Laboratory is fully certified by the American Association for Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care.This work was carried out while J. D. M. was enrolled in the Summer Program for College, Graduate, and Medical Students at the Jackson Laboratory.     

Genetic interactions controlling sex and color establish the potential for sexual conflict in Lake Malawi cichlid fishes

Sex-determining systems may evolve rapidly and contribute to lineage diversification. In fact, recent work has suggested an integral role of sex chromosome evolution in models of speciation. We use quantitative trait loci analysis of restriction site-associated DNA -tag single nucleotide polymorphisms to identify multiple loci responsible for sex determination and reproductively adaptive color phenotypes in Lake Malawi cichlids. We detect a complex epistatic sex system consisting of a major female heterogametic ZW locus on chromosome 5, two separate male heterogametic XY loci on chromosome 7, and two additional interacting loci on chromosomes 3 and 20. Our data support the known chromosomal linkage between orange blotch color and ZW, as well as novel genetic associations between male blue nuptial color and two sex determining regions (an XY and ZW locus). These results provide further empirical evidence for a complex antagonistic sex–color system in this species flock and suggest a possible role for, and effect of, polygenic sex-determining systems in rapid evolutionary diversification.     

A single vomeronasal receptor promotes intermale aggression through dedicated hypothalamic neurons

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Immune system activation affects male sexual signal and reproductive potential in crickets

Parasite-mediated sexual selection theory posits that individuals(usually females) choose mates by assessing the expression ofcostly secondary sexual signals, which provide reliable indicationsof parasite resistance. If these signals are indeed reliable,then immune-compromised males are predicted to exhibit changesin the sexual signal that are discernable by the female. Moreover,the mating pair is predicted to exhibit some reduction in reproductivefitness if the male is immune compromised. Here, we addressedthese predictions in the ground cricket, Allonemobius socius,by injecting juvenile males with lipopolysaccarides, which allowedus to activate the immune system without the introduction ofa metabolically active pathogen. As a consequence, we were ableto disentangle the cost of immune system activation from thecost of infection. We found that immune activation had a long-termeffect on male calling song and the males' ability to providepaternal resources, which can constrain male and female reproductivepotential. We also found that song interpulse interval variedsignificantly with the male's immune treatment and may thereforeprovide choosy females with a way to avoid mating with immune-compromisedmales. In short, our data support the parasite-mediated theoryof sexual selection, suggesting that female's gain direct benefitsby mating with males who are immune competent.     

六星黑点豹蠹蛾成虫生殖行为特征与性趋向

六星黑点豹蠹蛾Zeuzera leuconotum Butler (Lepidoptera: Cossidae)是一种重要的园林害虫。在光周期L:D=14:10、温度19-32 ℃、相对湿度75%-85%条件下,对六星黑点豹蠹蛾的羽化、性比、交配行为及能力进行了观察,利用风洞技术和林间诱蛾试验验证了其性趋向。结果表明:六星黑点豹蠹蛾羽化期60 d左右,6月下旬为羽化高峰期,日羽化高峰出现在傍晚17:00-18:00,占全天羽化量的55.4%;雌雄性比为1:1.03;交配高峰期发生在进入暗期5-7 h,成虫1日龄后性成熟,一生交配1次;随雌蛾日龄增加,其交配率逐渐下降,交配时间提前,交配持续时间逐渐加长;雌蛾一生平均产卵378个,孵化率80%,未交配雌蛾平均产卵426个,孵化率0%;未交配雌蛾和雄蛾的平均寿命分别为5.56 d和3.83 d,交配过的雌蛾和雄蛾平均寿命分别为5.66 d和2.41 d,交配缩短雄蛾寿命;六星黑点豹蠹蛾种内个体间引诱作用主要为雌蛾引诱雄蛾,同性间不存在聚集行为;2-3日龄未交配雌蛾林间诱蛾量最高,显著高于1日龄和4-6日龄(P＜0.01)。依据研究结果,分析讨论了应用性信息素防治六星黑点豹蠹蛾的可行性,说明六星黑点豹蠹蛾是可利用性信息素进行防控的理想对象。     

Deletion of peptide amidation enzymatic activity leads to edema and embryonic lethality in the mouse

Peptidylglycine alpha-amidating monooxygenase (PAM) catalyzes the COOH-terminal amidation of peptide hormones. We previously had found high expression of PAM in several regions of the developing rodent. To determine the function of PAM during mouse embryogenesis, we produced a null mutant of the PAM gene. Homozygous mutants die in utero between e14.5 and e15.5 with severe edema that is likely due to cardiovascular deficits. These defects include thinning of the aorta and carotid arteries and are very similar to those of the recently characterized adrenomedullin (AM) gene KO despite the presence of elevated immunoreactive AM in PAM KO embryos. No peptide amidation activity was detected in PAM mutant embryos, and there was no moderation of the AM-like phenotype that could be expected if any alternative peptide amidation mechanism exists in the mouse. Despite the proposed contribution of amidated peptides to neuronal cell proliferation, no alteration in neuroblast proliferation was observed in homozygous mutant embryos prior to lethality. Mice heterozygous for the mutant PAM allele develop normally and express wildtype levels of several amidated peptides despite having one half the wildtype levels of PAM activity and PAM protein. Nonetheless, both an increase in adiposity and a mild glucose intolerance developed in aged (>10 months) heterozygous mice compared to littermate controls. Ablation of PAM thus demonstrates an essential function for this gene during mouse development, while alterations in PAM activity in the adult may underlie more subtle physiologic effects.     

Induction of Fos Immunoreactivity in Oxytocin Neurons in the Paraventricular Nucleus After Female Odor Exposure in Male Rats: Effects of Sexual Experience

1. We examined whether oxytocin (OT) neurons in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) were activated by estrus female odor and sexual contact in sexually naïve and experienced Long-Evans rats. 2. Male rats were not presented to anesthetized estrus females (control) or presented to the females without (exposure to the female odor without sexual contact) or with direct contact (exposure to the female odor with sexual contact). 3. Exposure to the female odor with sexual contact significantly increased OT neurons with Fos-ir in both males. Exposure to the female odor without contact increased OT neurons with Fos-immunoreactive cells (Fos-ir) in sexually experienced males but not in naïve males, suggesting that the female odor without sexual contact activated the oxytocinergic neuronal system in the PVN in the experienced males. 4. Therefore, exposure to the estrus female odor itself may exert different effects on sexually naïve and experienced males.     

沙柳木蠹蛾性行为及其性信息素滴度的动态节律

沙柳木蠹蛾Holcocerus arenicola是为害沙柳Salix psammophila的主要钻蛀性害虫之一。在进入暗期后的6 h内,对其求偶行为和交配行为进行观察和记录,调查该虫求偶和交配的活动规律。通过触角电位技术（EAG）和毛细管气相色谱（GC）对性腺体内信息素的滴度进行了分析,以揭示性信息素产生的昼夜节律和雌虫日龄对性信息素合成的影响。结果表明：该虫在暗期0.5~1 h内即开始有求偶行为,最大求偶高峰出现在羽化后的第2晚。交配行为主要发生在暗期的1~2 h内。在各日龄的成虫中,1日龄成虫的交配百分率最高。交配平均时间为24.16±2.64 min,随着日龄的增加,交配时间前移。在实验中,未观察到5~6日龄成虫的交配行为。沙柳木蠹蛾性信息素的体内合成早于求偶行为1~2 h,并在暗期的前2 h内达到峰值。性信息素的滴度随着雌虫日龄的增减而减少,最高值为当日羽化雌虫的腺体提取物。林间诱蛾实验中,处女雌蛾和性腺体提取物对雄蛾均有较好的诱捕效果。本研究表明,在沙柳木蠹蛾的性信息素滴度和性活动之间具有同步关系,同时为进一步利用长距离性信息素防治该虫提供了参考。     

Sexual behavior in female western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla): evidence for sexual competition

Previous research in gorillas suggests that females engage in post‐conception mating as a form of sexual competition designed to improve their own reproductive success. This study focused on sexual behaviors in a newly formed group of western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) housed at Zoo Atlanta. All females engaged in mating outside their conceptive periods, although there was individual variation in the frequency of the behavior. An analysis of the presence/absence of sexual behavior found females, regardless of reproductive condition, were more likely to engage in sexual behavior on days when other females were sexually active. On these “co‐occurrence” days, females were significantly more likely to solicit the silverback, but copulations did not differ from expectation. The results find further evidence for sexual competition among female gorillas and suggest that this may occur throughout their reproductive cycle rather than only during pregnancy. Am. J. Primatol. 71:587–593, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Grasshopper sexual pheromone: a component of the defensive secretion in Taeniopoda eques

ABSTRACT. Both male and female Taeniopoda eques (Burmeister) emit a defensive secretion from their thoracic spiracles. The secretion from mature females was found to act as a sex pheromone, eliciting mating behaviour in males. Females became chemically attractive to males about 16–18 days after eclosion. The antennae are shown to be the site of pheromone reception in males. Feeding upon natural host plants was not a prerequisite for pheromone production.     

光强度对棉铃虫交配行为的影响

【目的】为阐明光强度对棉铃虫Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner)交配行为的影响。【方法】本实验设置4个光照强度(0,0.5,5.0和50.0 lx),观察记录不同光照强度下棉铃虫雌蛾的求偶行为;分别通过单个腺体性信息素提取法和解剖雌虫受精囊的方式,检测不同光照强度下棉铃虫的雌蛾性信息素滴度和交配率。【结果】在强光(50.0 lx)下,棉铃虫雌蛾求偶起始时间最长,求偶持续时间最短,求偶次数最少,雌蛾性信息素滴度始终处于较低水平,交配率也属于最低。在微光(0.5 lx)下,雌蛾求偶起始时间最短,求偶持续时间最长,求偶次数最多;雌蛾性信息素始终处于较低水平,但暗期后段求偶率高达40%。【结论】强光(50.0 lx)可以抑制棉铃虫雌蛾的求偶行为、性信息素的合成及交配;微光(0.5 lx)可以促进棉铃虫雌蛾的求偶行为;相对黑暗环境(0 lx),微光(0.5 lx)还可以促进棉铃虫快速(1 h)完成交配,微光(0.5 lx)对棉铃虫的交配行为具有重要意义;求偶和性信息素的合成没有必然联系。本研究可为探讨光对夜蛾交配行为的影响提供一定的理论基础,也可为利用物理、化学通讯信息调控夜蛾行为提供一定的参考。     

A potential role for NEDD1 and the centrosome in senescence of mouse embryonic fibroblasts

Mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) are commonly grown in cell culture and are known to enter senescence after a low number of passages as a result of oxidative stress. Oxidative stress has also been suggested to promote centrosome disruption; however, the contribution of this organelle to senescence is poorly understood. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the role of the centrosome in oxidative stress induced-senescence using MEFs as a model. We demonstrate here that coincident with the entry of late-passage MEFs into senescence, there was an increase in supernumerary centrosomes, most likely due to centrosome fragmentation. In addition, disrupting the centrosome in early-passage MEFs by depletion of neural precursor cell expressed developmentally downregulated gene 1 (NEDD1) also resulted in centrosomal fragmentation and subsequent premature entry into senescence. These data show that a loss of centrosomal integrity may contribute to the entry of MEFs into senescence in culture, and that centrosomal disruption can cause senescence.     

A non-covalent peptide-based strategy for protein and peptide nucleic acid transduction

The development of therapeutic peptides and proteins is limited by the poor permeability and the selectivity of the cell membrane. The discovery of protein transduction domains has given a new hope for administration of large proteins and peptides in vivo. We have developed a non-covalent strategy for protein transduction based on an amphipathic peptide, Pep-1, that consists of a hydrophobic domain and a hydrophilic lysine-rich domain. Pep-1 efficiently delivers a variety of fully biologically active peptides and proteins into cells, without the need for prior chemical cross-linking or chemical modifications. The mechanism through which Pep-1 delivers active macromolecules does not involve the endosomal pathway and the dissociation of the Pep-1/macromolecule particle occurs immediately after it crosses the cell membrane. Pep-1 has been successfully applied to the screening of therapeutic peptides in vivo and presents several advantages: stability in physiological buffer, lack of toxicity and of sensitivity to serum. In conclusion, Pep-1 technology could contribute significantly to the development of fundamental and therapeutic applications and be an alternative to covalent protein transduction domain-based technologies.