Biogenic Amines in the Vomeronasal Organ

Zancanaro, Carlo; Caretta, Carla Mucignat; Bolner, Andrea; Sbarbati, Andrea; Nordera, Gian Pietro; Osculati, Francesco

doi:10.1093/chemse/22.4.439

Cited by 19 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…It is known that norepinephrine is present in the mouse VNO (Zancanaro et al, 1997) and that the VNO is innervated by noradrenergic fibers (Meredith and O'Connell, 1979). These noradrenergic inputs probably originate in the SCG (Meredith and O'Connell, 1979), which is larger in male than female rats and is sensitive to activation by testosterone (Dibner and Black, 1978;Wright and Smolen, 1983).…”

Section: Sex Dimorphism and Activational Effects Of Sex Steroids In Vmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Halem¹,

Baum²,

Cherry

2001

J. Neurosci.

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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 estradioltreated 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.

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Section: Sex Dimorphism and Activational Effects Of Sex Steroids In Vmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Halem¹,

Baum²,

Cherry

2001

J. Neurosci.

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“…Measurable quantities of noradrenaline (NA) have been found in the VNO of mice after exposure to male urine (6). This release of NA may alter the vascular tone, or change the glandular secretions containing pheromone transporters, and such paracrine secretion might also increase the sensitivity of the sensory epithelium in particular behavioral contexts.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

The Vomeronasal Organ

Keverne

1999

Science

416

218

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The vomeronasal organ (VNO) is a chemoreceptor organ enclosed in a cartilaginous capsule and separated from the main olfactory epithelium. The vomeronasal neurons have two distinct types of receptor that differ from each other and from the large family of odorant receptors. The VNO receptors are seven-transmembrane receptors coupled to GTP-binding protein, but appear to activate inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate signaling as opposed to cyclic adenosine monophosphate. The nature of stimulus access suggests that the VNO responds to nonvolatile cues, leading to activation of the hypothalamus by way of the accessory olfactory bulb and amygdala. The areas of hypothalamus innervated regulate reproductive, defensive, and ingestive behavior as well as neuroendocrine secretion.

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“…This is because the MU‐induced hypothalamic depletion of LHRH was blocked by prazosin and yohimbine, α 1 and α 2 blockers, respectively (18), but not by the β‐adrenergic blocker propranolol or saline as occurred with the PRCA. However, the possibility cannot be excluded that adrenergic blockers act, in addition, on the vomeronasal pathway, since the presence and activity of adrenergic neurotransmitters have been demonstrated in the VNO as well as in the accesory olfactory bulb (29, 30).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of Adrenergic Blockade on the Pheromonal Restoration of Cyclic Activity in Young Oestrogen‐Primed Persistent Oestrous Female Rats

Mora

Sánchez-Criado

2002

J Neuroendocrinology

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The effects of adrenergic blockade on pheromonal restoration of cyclic activity were studied in acute oestrogenized persistent oestrous young female rats. Hypothalamic luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) and plasma LH, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), oestradiol and progesterone were measured by specific radio-immunoassays, and prolactin by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in: (i) young cycling rats; (ii) young persistent oestrous female rats; (iii) young persistent oestrous females treated with nasal sprays of male urine; and (iv) young persistent oestrous females treated with nasal sprays of male urine and injected with saline, propranolol, prazosin or yohimbine. LHRH was low 24 h after oestradiol benzoate injection, increasing up to 15 days later; LH, FSH, oestradiol and progesterone ranged from high values 24 h after oestradiol benzoate injection to low 15 days later; prolactin ranged from low concentration 24 h after oestradiol benzoate injection to high 15 days later. Male urine treatment induced a depletion of LHRH, a rise of LH, FSH and progesterone, pheromonal restoration of cyclic activity and a normal hormonal cyclic pattern. Treatment with prazosin and yohimbine prevented the pheromonal restoration of cyclic activity, the drop of LHRH and the rise of plasma concentration of the studied hormones induced by male urine, while saline or propranolol did not. These results show the hormonal pattern of the pheromonal restoration of cyclic activity in persistent oestrous rats and strongly suggest that alpha-adrenergic inputs to the hypothalamus may be involved in this pheromonal effect.

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Biogenic Amines in the Vomeronasal Organ

Cited by 19 publications

References 20 publications

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

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

The Vomeronasal Organ

Effect of Adrenergic Blockade on the Pheromonal Restoration of Cyclic Activity in Young Oestrogen‐Primed Persistent Oestrous Female Rats

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