Cited by 120Olfactory and Sensory Function StudiesNeuroendocrine regulation and behaviorBiochemical Analysis and Sensing Techniques

The nose knows who's who: chemosensory individuality and mate recognition in mice

Brennan, Peter A.·2004·Hormones and Behavior

Abstract

Individual recognition is an important component of behaviors, such as mate choice and maternal bonding that are vital for reproductive success. This article highlights recent developments in our understanding of the chemosensory cues and the neural pathways involved in individuality discrimination in rodents. There appear to be several types of chemosensory signal of individuality that are influenced by the highly polymorphic families of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) proteins or major urinary proteins (MUPs). Both have the capability of binding small molecules and may influence the individual profile of these chemosignals in biological fluids such as urine, skin secretions, or saliva. Moreover, these proteins, or peptides associated with them, can be taken up into the vomeronasal organ (VNO) where they can potentially interact directly with the vomeronasal receptors. This is particularly interesting given the expression of major histocompatibility complex Ib proteins by the V2R class of vomeronasal receptor and the highly selective responses of accessory olfactory bulb (AOB) mitral cells to strain identity. These findings are consistent with the role of the vomeronasal system in mediating individual discrimination that allows mate recognition in the context of the pregnancy block effect. This is hypothesized to involve a selective increase in the inhibitory control of mitral cells in the accessory olfactory bulb at the first level of processing of the vomeronasal stimulus.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2004.01.010

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Authors
Brennan, P. A.
Affiliations
University of Cambridge (GB)
Corresponding author
Brennan, Peter A.
Venue
Hormones and Behavior
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2004-09
Volume
46
Issue
3
Pages
231-240
ISSN
0018-506X (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2046144675
Cited by
120
References
96
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 7 · 2013: 6 · 2012: 4
FWCI
4.15
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Hormones and Behavior (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
Medical Research Council
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Sensory Systems › Olfactory and Sensory Function Studies
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
  • Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Biochemical Analysis and Sensing Techniques
Keywords
individual recognition, chemosensory cues, mate recognition, major histocompatibility complex, major urinary proteins, vomeronasal organ, vomeronasal receptors, accessory olfactory bulb, mitral cells, urine, chemosignals, mice
MeSH terms
Animals, Chemoreceptor Cells, Discrimination Learning, Female, Individuality, Major Histocompatibility Complex, Male, Neurons, Afferent, Nose, Embryo Implantation, Perception, Pregnancy, Pregnancy Maintenance, Pregnancy, Animal, Sexual Behavior, Animal, Smell, Urine, Receptors, Odorant, Vomeronasal Organ, Recognition, Psychology, Mice

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