Mammalian pheromones

• Published in: Annual review of physiology Vol. 76; p. 151
• Main Author: Liberles, Stephen D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.01.2014
• Subjects: Animals; Behavior - physiology; Behavior, Animal - physiology; Humans; Mammals - physiology; Odorants; Olfactory Bulb - physiology; Olfactory Mucosa - physiology; Olfactory Pathways - anatomy & histology; Olfactory Pathways - physiology; Olfactory Receptor Neurons - physiology; Pheromones - physiology; Pheromones, Human - physiology; Smell - physiology
• ISSN: 1545-1585
• DOI: 10.1146/annurev-physiol-021113-170334

Mammalian pheromones control a myriad of innate social behaviors and acutely regulate hormone levels. Responses to pheromones are highly robust, reproducible, and stereotyped and likely involve developmentally predetermined neural circuits. Here, I review several facets of pheromone transduction in mammals, including (a) chemosensory receptors and signaling components of the main olfactory epithelium and vomeronasal organ involved in pheromone detection; (b) pheromone-activated neural circuits subject to sex-specific and state-dependent modulation; and (c) the striking chemical diversity of mammalian pheromones, which range from small, volatile molecules and sulfated steroids to large families of proteins. Finally, I review (d) molecular mechanisms underlying various behavioral and endocrine responses, including modulation of puberty and estrous; control of reproduction, aggression, suckling, and parental behaviors; individual recognition; and distinguishing of own species from predators, competitors, and prey. Deconstruction of pheromone transduction mechanisms provides a critical foundation for understanding how odor response pathways generate instinctive behaviors.