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First published online March 31, 2007
Journal of Experimental Biology 210, 1406-1412 (2007)
Published by The Company of Biologists 2007
doi: 10.1242/jeb.02753
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Pregnancy block by MHC class I peptides is mediated via the production of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate in the mouse vomeronasal organ

Roger N. Thompson, Ronald McMillon, Audrey Napier and Kennedy S. Wekesa

Department of Biological Sciences, Alabama State University, Montgomery, Alabama 36101-0271, USA

* Author for correspondence (e-mail: kwekesa{at}alasu.edu)

Accepted 12 February 2007

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.

Key words: Ins(1,4,5)P3, MHC peptide, vomeronasal organ (VNO), pregnancy block






© The Company of Biologists Ltd 2007