ISSN:
1432-1351
Keywords:
Plasticity
;
Pheromone
;
Electro-olfactogram
;
Reproduction
;
Steroid-induced
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract Although it is well known that responses to ethologically-relevant odors are influenced by endocrine factors, it has not been clear whether these hormonal effects might be mediated at the level of the peripheral sensory neurons. During an investigation of hormonal pheromones in South-East Asian Cyprinids, we observed that in adult male Puntius schwanenfeldi, an androgen-dependent sex character was correlated with electro-olfactogram response to a putative sex pheromone (15-keto-prostaglandin-F2α ). As secondary sex characteristics are androgen-dependent in male teleosts, this observation suggested a functional relationship between androgen and peripheral olfactory receptor response. We therefore investigated this possibility using androgen implants. In laboratory-raised juveniles, androgen treatment increased the magnitude and sensitivity of electro-olfactogram response to prostaglandin without affecting responses to other odors. Furthermore, androgen-treated juveniles performed pheromone-dependent sex behavior in the presence of a prostaglandin-injected stimulus fish. For the first time in vertebrates, the present data demonstrate hormone-induced plasticity of primary chemosensory neuronal responsiveness to an ethologically relevant compound.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00197752
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