| Project/Area Number |
15GS0306
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| Research Category |
Grant-in-Aid for Creative Scientific Research
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| Allocation Type | Single-year Grants |
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| Research Institution | The University of Tokyo |
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Principal Investigator |
MORI Yuji The University of Tokyo, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, professor (40157871)
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| Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha) |
WATANABE Hidenori The University of Tokyo, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, professor (00202416)
ICHIKAWA Masumi Tokyo Metropolitan Organization for Medical Research, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Neuroscience, Department for Neuroscience Basic Technology, Director (20124414)
OKAMURA Hiroaki National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, Division of Animal Sciences Neurobiology Research Unit, Head researcher (60213972)
TAKEUCHI Yukari The University of Tokyo, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, Associate professor (10240730)
KIKUSUI Takehumi Azabu University, School of Veterinary Medicine, Associate Professor (90302596)
北原 武 北里研究所, 基礎研究所, 部長(研究職) (40087573)
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| Project Period (FY) |
2003 – 2007
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| Project Status |
Completed (Fiscal Year 2007)
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| Budget Amount *help |
¥562,380,000 (Direct Cost: ¥432,600,000、Indirect Cost: ¥129,780,000)
Fiscal Year 2007: ¥106,600,000 (Direct Cost: ¥82,000,000、Indirect Cost: ¥24,600,000)
Fiscal Year 2006: ¥110,500,000 (Direct Cost: ¥85,000,000、Indirect Cost: ¥25,500,000)
Fiscal Year 2005: ¥113,100,000 (Direct Cost: ¥87,000,000、Indirect Cost: ¥26,100,000)
Fiscal Year 2004: ¥114,400,000 (Direct Cost: ¥88,000,000、Indirect Cost: ¥26,400,000)
Fiscal Year 2003: ¥117,780,000 (Direct Cost: ¥90,600,000、Indirect Cost: ¥27,180,000)
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| Keywords | mammals / primer pheromone / structure determination / chemical synthesis / limbic-hypothalamic system / neuroethology / pheromone receptor / mechanism of pheromone production |
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| Research Abstract |
Primer pheromones profoundly influence the brain function and thereby induce various physiological as well as behavoral responses in mammals. Although such phenomena have long been documented, little is known about mammalian primer pheromones. The present study was conducted in order to draw a comprehensive picture of chemical communication via pheromones in mammalian species by focusing on two representative pheromone models, namely the "male effect" pheromone in ruminants and "alarm" pheromone in rodents. We investigated mechanisms of production, perception, neural pathway of these pheromones, and also tried to isolate and identify responsible molecules as pheromone candidates.
The "male effect" is a pheromone-induced gonadal activation, which is particularly well known in sheep and goats. The hypothalamic GnRH pulse generator is the target of this pheromone action. We have revealed that the pheromone is perceived by V1R receptors located at both the vomeronasal and olfactory epitheli
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um. Pheromone information is then transmitted via amygdala to the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus and stimulates the kisspeptin neuron, which is found to play a key role in generating the pulsatility of GnRH neurosecretion. During the term of this research project we could isolate and identify 16 candidate pheromone substances, of which mixture shows "male effect" pheromone like activity.
The "alarm" pheromone is, on the other hand, an olfactory signal, which is emitted from stressed animal for dissemination of potential dangers to family or group members. We have cralified that the pheromone is a water soluble volatile substance released from the peri-anal gland of the donor animal and it is perceived by the vomeronasal organ of the recipient, of which anxiety level is elevated resulting in the increase of risk-assessment as well as defensive behaviors and exacerbation of accompanying autonomic responses. By establishing a bioassay system for the alarm pheromone with measurement of the acoustic startle response we could isolate a candidate pheromone substance, which is currently under investigation for its chemical structure. Less
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