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Olfactory effects of a hypervariable multicomponent pheromone in the red-legged salamander, Plethodon shermani
Damien B Wilburn1,2, Kari A Doty1, Adam J Chouinard3
1Dept of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, United States of America.
Plos One
|March 31, 2017
Summary
Male salamander pheromones (PMF) use diverse isoforms to enhance female receptivity. Complex mixtures activate more neurons, suggesting synergistic effects are key for reproductive success in chemical communication.
Area of Science:
- Animal behavior
- Chemical ecology
- Evolutionary biology
Background:
- Chemical communication is vital for reproduction in many species.
- In plethodontid salamanders, males use protein pheromones to increase female receptivity.
- Plethodontid Modulating Factor (PMF) is a hypervariable pheromone with over 30 isoforms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of Plethodontid Modulating Factor (PMF) isoform variability on vomeronasal epithelium (VNE) neuron activation.
- To understand the role of pheromone diversity in regulating reproductive behaviors.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the agmatine uptake assay to measure VNE neuron activation.
- Tested the response of VNE neurons to various mixtures and single isoforms of PMF.
Main Results:
- All tested PMF isoform mixtures significantly activated VNE neurons (>200% over background).
- A single purified PMF isoform showed minimal neuron activation (+17%).
- Complex PMF isoform mixtures were more effective in increasing female mating receptivity.
Conclusions:
- PMF isoforms likely act synergistically to regulate female receptivity.
- Pheromone isoform diversity may be crucial for male reproductive success.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms of PMF action.