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Chem Senses

Title:		Plant terpenes affect intensity and temporal parameters of pheromone detection in a moth
Author(s):		Party V; Hanot C; Said I; Rochat D; Renou M;
Address:		"Unite Mixte de Recherche 1272 Physiologie de l'Insecte, Signalisation et Communication, Institut National de Recherche Agronomique, Universite Pierre et Marie Curie, Route de Saint-Cyr, 78000 Versailles Cedex, France"
Journal Title:		Chem Senses
Year:		2009
Volume:		20090921
Issue:		9
Page Number:		763 - 774
DOI:		10.1093/chemse/bjp060
ISSN/ISBN:		1464-3553 (Electronic) 0379-864X (Linking)
Abstract:		"In moths, the components of the female pheromone blend are detected in the male antennae by pheromone olfactory receptor neurons (Ph-ORNs) expressing narrowly tuned olfactory receptors. Responses to sex pheromones have generally been thought to be independent from the odorant background. However, interactions between pheromone components and plant volatiles have been reported at behavioral and detection levels. To document the mechanisms of such interactions, we analyzed Ph-ORN responses of Spodoptera littoralis to the main pheromone component, Z9E11-14:Ac, in the presence of 4 monoterpenes. To mimic natural contexts in which plant odors and pheromone emanate from different sources, the 2 stimuli were presented with different temporal patterns and from independent sources. Linalool reversibly reduced the firing response to Z9E11-14:Ac and produced an off effect. Geraniol and geranyl and linalyl acetates reduced the responses to Z9E11-14:Ac with a longer time course. Pulses of linalool over prolonged pheromone stimulation resulted in a discontinuous firing activity. Pulses of pheromone were better separated over a background of linalool, compared with odorless air. The data confirm that plant compounds may modulate the intensity and the temporal coding by Ph-ORNs of pheromone information. This modulation might positively affect mate location at high pheromone density especially nearby a pheromone source"
Keywords:		Animals Female Male Monoterpenes/*metabolism Olfactory Receptor Neurons/*physiology Plants/chemistry Sex Attractants/*physiology Smell/physiology Spodoptera/*physiology Volatilization;
Notes:		"MedlineParty, Virginie Hanot, Christophe Said, Imene Rochat, Didier Renou, Michel eng England 2009/09/23 Chem Senses. 2009 Nov; 34(9):763-74. doi: 10.1093/chemse/bjp060. Epub 2009 Sep 21"