Pheromones reception

Inamura K., Matsumoto Y., Kashiwayanagi M. and Kurihara K. (1999). Laminar distribution of pheromone-receptive neurons in rat vomeronasal epithelium. J Physiol 517, 731-739. 

Rats ovulate when exposed to soiled bedding from males. The stimulus is nonvolatile, as a wire screen can eliminate this response. Vomeronasal organ occlusion reduces the response, implicating this pathway for priming pheromone reception in this species (Johns etal., 1978). Table 8.2 summarizes the role of the vomeronasal in priming effects in rodents. 

P americana is one of just a few species of insects in which both peripheral and central olfactory processing have been studied. In contrast to many short-lived lepidopterans, in which the male antenna is highly specialized for sex pheromone reception, the antennae of male cockroaches contain numerous food-responsive sensilla. In addition to olfactory sensilla, the antennae also house mechano-, hygro-and thermoreceptors, as well as contact chemoreceptors (Schaller, 1978 review Boeckh et al., 1984). Extensive ultrastructural and electrophysiological evidence has demonstrated that morphologically defined sensillum types house receptor cells of specific functional types (Sass, 1976, 1978, 1983 Schaller, 1978 Selzer, 1981, 1984 review Boeckh and Ernst, 1987). Boeckh and Ernst (1987) defined 25 types of cell according to their odor spectra, but of the 65 500 chemo- and mechanosensory sensilla on the antenna of adult male P. americana, an estimated 37 000 house cells that respond to periplanone-A and periplanone-B. 

In comparison with volatile pheromones, little is known about chemoreception of contact pheromones. There is some indication that the physical structure, or texture, of the antenna plays a role in the response to contact pheromones, but the processing of these signals has yet to be investigated. Further, ablation experiments suggest that the palpi may be involved in pheromone reception, but electrophysiological and behavioral experimental support to demonstrate this unambiguously is lacking. 

Our understanding of pheromone reception had undergone dramatic change just prior to 1987 with the proposal that Pheromone Binding Proteins (PBPs) and pheromone degrading enzymes transported and inactivated pheromonal signals... 

Prestwich G. D. (1987a) Chemical studies of pheromone reception and catabolism. In Pheromone Biochemistry, eds G. D. Prestwich and G. J. Blomquist, pp. 473-527. Academic Press, New York. 

Vogt R. G. and Riddiford L. M. (1986a) Pheromone reception a kinetic equilibrium. In... 

Vogt R. G. and Riddiford L. M. (1986) Pheromone reception a kinetic equilibrium. In Mechanisms in Insect Olfaction, eds T. L. Payne, M. C. Birch and C. E. J. Kennedy, pp. 201-208 Oxford University Press, New York. 

Renou M. and Lucas R (1994) Sex pheromone reception in Mamestra brassicae L. (Lepidoptera) responses of olfactory receptor neurones to minor components of the pheromone blend. J. Insect Physiol. 40, 75-85. 

The 1987 book Pheromone Biochemistry (Prestwich and Blomquist) summarized what was then known about the production and reception of insect pheromones. Remarkable advances in our understanding of pheromone production have occurred in the last one and a half decades, which is mirrored by similar advances in our understanding of pheromone reception. This progress is detailed herein by selected authors who are the leaders in the field. We have assembled contributed chapters from experts who are at the frontiers of pheromone chemistry, neurobiology, chemical ecology, molecular biology and biochemistry. 

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