Influence of a genetic difference confined to mutation of H-2K on the incidence of pregnancy block in mice.

Abstract

In mice, pregnancy is often terminated when the stud male is removed and the pregnant female is exposed to the presence or scent of an unfamiliar male. It is reported here that the incidence of such blocking of pregnancy was higher when the stud and unfamiliar male differed by mutation of the H-2K class I gene of the major histocompatibility complex than when the stud and unfamiliar males were genetically identical. Thus, the olfactory distinction of mice differing by mutation of the H-2K gene, previously demonstrated after training of mice in a Y maze, can spontaneously influence neuroendocrine communications affecting reproduction.The olfactory sensing of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) has been shown to influence the reproductive behavior of mice in two respects. First, mice exhibit mating preferences that generally favor matings between MHCdissimilar pairs rather than MHC-identical pairs (1-4). Second, the incidence of pregnancy block, whereby pregnancy may be terminated when pregnant females are exposed to the scent of an unfamiliar male (the Bruce effect), is higher when the MHC type of the unfamiliar male differs from that of the stud male (5).The extended MHC of the mouse comprises a linked series of several genes, known as H-2:Qa:Tla, situated on chromosome 17. In addition to the observations of MHC-associated mating preferences and of MHC-associated incidences of blocked pregnancy mentioned above, the sensing of mouse

A new test paradigm for social recognition evidenced by urinary scent marking behavior in C57BL/6J mice

“…They act through a complex mixture of volatile and nonvolatile metabolites bound and released by urinary proteins or peptides [52][53][54]. Volatiles from urine also vary according to social status, diet, and animals' bacterial gut flora [11,48,65], while MUPs and MHC peptides are hard-wired into the genome and stable throughout the life of the animal [31,53,64].…”

Chemosensation and genetic individuality

“…This effect can be seen when the only differences between the stud and strange males are in the alleles of the MHC (Yamazaki et al, 1983b). Indeed, it was shown that abortion could be elicited when the only genetic differences between the stud and the foreign male were three point mutations in the H-2K b molecule (H-2K b for the stud versus H-2K bm1 for the strange male and vice versa; Yamazaki et al, 1986b). Abortion can be prevented by administration of prolactin or progesterone (Dominic, 1966a), indicating that the effect is likely to be due to neuroendorine disturbance.…”

The Evolution of Mating Preferences and Major Histocompatibility Complex Genes

“…There is evidence that the MHC plays a role in odor-mediated pregnancy block (Bruce effect): female mice are more likely to block pregnancy if the stud male and the introduced male are MHC dissimilar than when they are genetically identical (Yamazaki et al 1986). However, no one has tested whether MHC-similar males are more likely to trigger pregnancy block than males who are MHC dissimilar to females.…”