Biogenic Amines in the Vomeronasal Organ

• Published in: Chemical senses Vol. 22; no. 4; pp. 439 - 445
• Main Authors: Zancanaro, Carlo, Caretta, Carla Mucignat, Bolner, Andrea, Sbarbati, Andrea, Nordera, Gian Pietro, Osculati, Francesco
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Oxford University Press 01.08.1997
• Subjects: Animals; Biogenic Amines - analysis; Biological and medical sciences; Catecholamines - analysis; Epinephrine - analysis; Epinephrine - metabolism; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Male; Mice; Norepinephrine - analysis; Norepinephrine - metabolism; Olfactory system and olfaction. Gustatory system and gustation; Pheromones - pharmacology; Pheromones - urine; Rana esculenta; Serotonin - analysis; Serotonin - metabolism; Sex Factors; Vertebrates: nervous system and sense organs; Vomeronasal Organ - chemistry; Epinephrine; Serotonin; Frog; Rodentia; Sex; Amphibia; HPLC chromatography; Salientia; Catecholamine; Reproduction; Vertebrata; Sexual maturity; Mammalia; Mouse; Biogenic amine; Neurotransmitter; Developmental stage; Norepinephrine; Sexual dimorphism; Vomeronasal organ
• ISSN: 0379-864X; 1464-3553
• DOI: 10.1093/chemse/22.4.439

The vomeronasal organ of frog and mouse was investigated for the presence and content of serotonin and catecholamines by means of high-performance liquid chromatography. Measurable amounts of serotonin, adrenaline and noradrenaline were found in the vomeronasal organ of adult individuals of both species. The amine content varied with sex of adult frogs and mice and sexual maturity of mice. In preliminary experiments, acute exposure to male urine containing pheromone affected the amine content in the vomeronasal organ of adult female mice. These data suggest that functional sex dimorphism is present in the vomeronasal organ, and biochemical changes therein take place according to stage of sexual maturity. The role of biogenic amines in the vomeronasal organ deserves further study. Chem. Senses 22: 439–445, 1997.