Mammalian Reproductive Pheromone : Isolation and Study on Central Action

本研究建立了哺乳动物生殖信息素的神经生理生物测定系统，采用下丘脑多单位活性（MUA）记录法，可方便地监测GnRH脉冲发生器的活性。本研究的目的是[1]纯化绵羊和山羊等反刍动物中已知的负责“雄性效应”的信息素物质，[2]揭示信息素不仅刺激生殖活动，而且还改变包括摄食和探索在内的各种其他行为的中枢机制。所获得的结果可以概括如下：记录电极被立体定位地放置在卵巢切除山羊的内侧基底下丘脑，皮下植入含有雌二醇的胶囊以保持类固醇环境恒定。与外周循环LH脉冲相一致的特异性MUA放电被认为是电生理表现 ...更多信息 GnRH脉冲发生器的活动。将被测山羊暴露于从性活跃的公山羊获得的毛发样品或其乙醚提取物导致GnRH脉冲发生器活性的加速，清楚地表明引物-信息素活性的存在。另一方面，来自去势雄性的毛发样品没有这样的促性腺活性，然后在用睾酮处理去势雄性几周后恢复。皮脂腺可能是雄激素依赖性产生雄性信息素的潜在来源，除了单次（短期）施用外，更长时间（如连续4小时）暴露于信息素也能有效刺激生殖神经内分泌系统。另一个有趣的发现是，山羊在连续暴露几个小时后，对信息素刺激产生了免疫反应。基于本研究建立的神经生理学生物测定方法，正在进行信息素的分离研究。少

In this study, the neurophysiological bioassay system for mammalian reproductive pheromones has been established by means of hypothalamic multipleunit activiry (MUA) recording, by which the GnRH pulse generator activity can be monitored conveniently. The porposes of the present study were [1] to purify the pheromonal substance responsible for the "male effect" known in domestic ruminant species such as sheep and goats, and [2] reveal the central mechanism of pheromone actions which not only stimulate reproductive activities but also modify various other behaviors including feeding and exploring. Obtained results can be summarized as follows.Recording electrodes were stereotaxically placed in the medial basal hypothalamus of ovariectomized goats, which were subcutaneously implanted with estradiol containing capsules to keep steroidal milieu constant. The specific MUA volleys, which coincided with LH pulses in the peripheral circulation, were regarded as the electrophysiological manifest … More ation of the GnRH pulse generator activity. The exposure of the tested-goat to hair sample, or its ether extract, obtained from sexually-active male goats resulted in the accleleration of the GnRH pulse generator activity, clearly indicating the existence of primer-pheromone activity. On the other hand, hair samples from castrated male did not have such a progonadal activity, which was then resumed after treating the castrated one with testosterone for several weeks. Sebaceous gland was suggested to be the potential source of androgen dependently produced male pheromones.In addition to single (short-term) appliation, more prolonged exposure (e.g.4 hours continuously) to pheromes was also effective in terms of stimulating the reproductive neuroendocrine system. Another interesting finding was that the goat developed a state of reflactory to the pheromonal stimulation following continuous exposure for several hours. Based on the neurophysiological bioassay means developed in this study, the isolation study of pheromone (s) is proceeding. Less