Dynamics of excretion of urinary chemosignals in the house mouse (Mus musclus) during the natural estrous cycle

Abstract

The volatile fraction of urinary metabolites was investigated chromatographically at five different stages of the natural estrous cycle. A very substantial endocrine dependency has been noted for 11 compounds: 4 ketones, 2 acetate esters, 3 dihydrofuran isomers, dehydro-exo-brevicomin, and 2,5-dimethylpyrazine. The compounds were structurally verified through combined gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.

The main and the accessory olfactory systems interact in the control of mate recognition and sexual behavior

“…Indeed, urine, like most other social olfactory stimuli, consists of a large number of distinct chemical compounds that vary according to the sex, strain, social and physiological status of the emitter [1,42]. For example, the volatile urinary compound (methylthio) methanethiol (MTMT) has been shown to activate a subset of mitral cells in the MOB, and when added to urine, enhances urine attractiveness to female mice [62].…”

Odors Detected by Mice Deficient in Cyclic Nucleotide-Gated Channel Subunit A2 Stimulate the Main Olfactory System

“…These micrographs are taken in 30 m brain slices cut sagittally. Putative pheromones elicit responses in the main olfactory system in CNGA2 knock-out mice DMP and 2-heptanone have been postulated to be conspecific urinary chemosignals (Andreolini et al, 1987;Jemiolo et al, 1989). The excretion of these molecules into female mouse urine varies during the estrous cycle (Andreolini et al, 1987), and they participate in mediating effects such as inhibition or acceleration of puberty and extension of the estrous period in female mice (Jemiolo et al, 1989).…”

Olfactory Systems in Mate Recognition and Sexual Behavior

“…Indeed, the MOS is involved in the processing of volatile pheromonal signals related to social attraction and recognition, thus allowing animals to discriminate conspecifics according to their reproductive status. Indeed, urine consists of a mixture of distinct chemicals that vary, among others, according to the sex or physiology of the emitter (Andreolini et al, 1987;Jemiolo et al, 1989). For example, the volatile urinary compound (methylthio)-methanethiol (MTMT), that is present in male mice urine, activates a subset of mitral cells in the female MOB, and enhances female attractiveness of gonadectomized male urine when added to it (Lin et al, 2005, Fig.…”