Sex-specific peptides from exocrine glands stimulate mouse vomeronasal sensory neurons

Hiroko Kimoto, Sachiko Haga, Koji Sato and Kazushige Touhara ()
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Hiroko Kimoto: The University of Tokyo
Sachiko Haga: The University of Tokyo
Koji Sato: The University of Tokyo
Kazushige Touhara: The University of Tokyo

Nature, 2005, vol. 437, issue 7060, 898-901

Abstract: Face reality The discovery that sex hormones can be secreted from the eyes is something new in the world of sexual communication. A male-specific peptide secreted from the extraorbital lachrymal gland is transferred to the female's pheromone-sensing organ during physical contact such as facial grooming. It stimulates specific pheromone receptor neurons and elicits an electrical response. The ‘male’ peptide is a member of a previously unrecognized large multigene family of secreted peptides. A female signal, yet to be identified, acts in a similar way, suggesting that these pheromones operate via specific courtship behaviour to ensure sex recognition and discrimination.

Date: 2005
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DOI: 10.1038/nature04033

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