Identification and analysis of central action of the pheromone that modulates reproductive physiology in mice

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 16K18811
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Integrative animal science
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: Murata Ken 東京大学, 大学院農学生命科学研究科(農学部), 特任研究員 (30749643)
• Project Period (FY): 2016-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: フェロモン / 生殖 / キスペプチン / GnRH

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The aim of this research is to record the neural activity of central regulator of reproduction to reveal the central response to male pheromone exposure and identify the pheromone molecule based on the response in mice. By using optogenetic technology, we established a system to record neural activity of neurons expressing specific genes in specific brain area. It was shown that exposure to male mouse urine containing pheromone activated the central regulator of reproduction. Furthermore, relatively low molecular weight hydrophilic compounds in male mouse urine were suggested to have pheromone activity.

Free Research Field

神経内分泌学