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J Exp Biol

Title:		"Pregnancy block by MHC class I peptides is mediated via the production of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate in the mouse vomeronasal organ"
Author(s):		Thompson RN; McMillon R; Napier A; Wekesa KS;
Address:		"Department of Biological Sciences, Alabama State University, Montgomery, Alabama 36101-0271, USA"
Journal Title:		J Exp Biol
Year:		2007
Volume:		210
Issue:		Pt 8
Page Number:		1406 - 1412
DOI:		10.1242/jeb.02753
ISSN/ISBN:		0022-0949 (Print) 0022-0949 (Linking)
Abstract:		"The vomeronasal organ (VNO) has evolved to link an animal's behavior to its environment in a highly species-specific fashion. In mice, it is thought to be the primary sensory system responsible for the detection of pheromones. Pheromones regulate a variety of responses including mate recognition in the context of selective pregnancy failure. MHC (major histocompatibility complex) class I peptides have been identified as compounds that elicit the pregnancy block effect via the VNO. However, the transduction cascade of these molecules is unknown and it is not known if the production of these compounds are androgen dependent. By using male urine and MHC peptides, we show that female mice treated with MHC peptides (in urine or PBS) and urine from castrated males or juvenile mice of different haplotypes respond to the Bruce Effect paradigm in a manner equivalent to female mice exposed to whole urine. In addition to providing new evidence that urine from castrated or juvenile males and MHC peptides can induce pregnancy block, we show correlation of the effect with an increase in inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate"
Keywords:		"Analysis of Variance Animals Female Genes, MHC Class I/*physiology Inositol 1, 4, 5-Trisphosphate/*metabolism Mice Mice, Inbred C57BL Peptides/genetics/*metabolism/urine Pregnancy Pregnancy, Animal/metabolism/*physiology Smell/physiology Stimulation, Chemic;"
Notes:		"MedlineThompson, Roger N McMillon, Ronald Napier, Audrey Wekesa, Kennedy S eng GM08219/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/ P20 MD000547/MD/NIMHD NIH HHS/ Comparative Study Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural England 2007/04/03 J Exp Biol. 2007 Apr; 210(Pt 8):1406-12. doi: 10.1242/jeb.02753"