Mammalian Reproductive Pheromone : Isolation and Study on Central Action

本研究通过记录下丘脑多单位活动(MUA)建立了哺乳动物生殖信息素的神经生理学生物测定系统，可以方便地监测GnRH脉冲发生器的活动。本研究的目的是[1]提纯家养反刍动物(如绵羊和山羊)中已知的“雄性效应”的信息素物质，[2]揭示信息素作用的中心机制，它不仅刺激繁殖活动，而且还改变包括取食和探索在内的各种其他行为。主要研究结果如下：1.在去卵巢山羊的下丘脑内侧基底区立体定向放置记录电极，皮下植入雌二醇胶囊以维持类固醇环境的恒定。与外周循环中的黄体生成素脉冲重合的特异性MUA波群被认为是电生理表现的…GnRH脉冲发生器活动的更多信息。被试山羊接触从性活跃的公山羊身上获得的毛发样品或其乙醚提取物后，GnRH脉冲产生器的活性增加，这清楚地表明存在引诱信息素活性。另一方面，去势男性的头发样本没有这样的黄体酮活性，然后在用睾丸激素治疗几周后恢复。皮脂腺被认为是雄激素依赖地产生雄性信息素的潜在来源。除了单次(短期)应用外，更长时间(例如连续4小时)暴露在信息体中也能有效地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，对信息素的刺激产生了一种反射状态。基于本研究开发的神经生理学生物测定手段，对信息素(S)的分离研究正在进行中。较少

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