| Title: | Processing by the main olfactory system of chemosignals that facilitate mammalian reproduction |
| Address: | "Departments of Biology, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA. Electronic address: baum@bu.edu. Departments of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA" |
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2014.06.003 |
| ISSN/ISBN: | 1095-6867 (Electronic) 0018-506X (Linking) |
| Abstract: | "This article is part of a Special Issue 'Chemosignals and Reproduction'. Most mammalian species possess two parallel circuits that process olfactory information. One of these circuits, the accessory system, originates with sensory neurons in the vomeronasal organ (VNO). This system has long been known to detect non-volatile pheromonal odorants from conspecifics that influence numerous aspects of social communication, including sexual attraction and mating as well as the release of luteinizing hormone from the pituitary gland. A second circuit, the main olfactory system, originates with sensory neurons in the main olfactory epithelium (MOE). This system detects a wide range of non-pheromonal odors relevant to survival (e.g., food and predator odors). Over the past decade evidence has accrued showing that the main olfactory system also detects a range of volatile odorants that function as pheromones to facilitate mate recognition and activate the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal neuroendocrine axis. We review early studies as well as the new literature supporting the view that the main olfactory system processes a variety of different pheromonal cues that facilitate mammalian reproduction" |
| Keywords: | "Animals Mammals/*physiology Olfactory Perception/*physiology Pheromones/*physiology Sexual Behavior, Animal/*physiology Smell/*physiology Behavior circuit Pheromone Sex difference Sex steroid;" |
| Notes: | "MedlineBaum, Michael J Cherry, James A eng Review 2014/06/15 Horm Behav. 2015 Feb; 68:53-64. doi: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2014.06.003. Epub 2014 Jun 12" |
