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Proc Biol Sci

Title:		The ownership signature in mouse scent marks is involatile
Author(s):		Nevison CM; Armstrong S; Beynon RJ; Humphries RE; Hurst JL;
Address:		"Animal Behaviour Group, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool, Leahurst, Neston CH64 7TE, UK"
Journal Title:		Proc Biol Sci
Year:		2003
Volume:		270
Issue:		1527
Page Number:		1957 - 1963
DOI:		10.1098/rspb.2003.2452
ISSN/ISBN:		0962-8452 (Print) 1471-2954 (Electronic) 0962-8452 (Linking)
Abstract:		"Male house mice advertise their territory ownership through urinary scent marks and use individual-specific patterns of major urinary proteins (MUPs) to discriminate between their own scent and that of other males. It is not clear whether recognition occurs through discrimination of the non-volatile proteins or protein-ligand complexes (direct model), or by the detection of volatile ligands that are released from MUPs (indirect model). To examine the mechanism underlying individual scent mark signatures, we compared investigatory and countermarking responses of male laboratory mice presented with male scent marks from a strain with a different MUP pattern, when they could contact the scent or when contact was prevented by a porous nitrocellulose sheet to which proteins bind. Mice investigated scent marks from other males whether these were covered or not, and biochemical analysis confirmed that the porous cover did not prevent the release of volatiles from scent marks. Having gained information through investigation, mice increased their own scent marking only if they had direct contact with another male's urine, failing to do this when contact was prevented. Individual signatures in scent marks thus appear to be carried by non-volatile proteins or by non-volatile protein-ligand complexes, rather than by volatiles emanating from the scent"
Keywords:		*Animal Communication Animals Male Mice Pheromones/physiology/*urine Proteins/*physiology Smell/*physiology *Territoriality;
Notes:		"MedlineNevison, C M Armstrong, S Beynon, R J Humphries, R E Hurst, J L eng Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't England 2003/10/17 Proc Biol Sci. 2003 Sep 22; 270(1527):1957-63. doi: 10.1098/rspb.2003.2452"