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Sex pheromone blend of Manduca sexta : Responses of central olfactory interneurons to antennal stimulation in male moths
Author(s) -
Christensen Thomas A.,
Hildebrand John G.,
Tumlinson James H.,
Doolittle Robert E.
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
archives of insect biochemistry and physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.576
H-Index - 66
eISSN - 1520-6327
pISSN - 0739-4462
DOI - 10.1002/arch.940100404
Subject(s) - manduca sexta , pheromone , biology , antennal lobe , sex pheromone , antenna (radio) , stimulation , interneuron , neuroscience , electrophysiology , sphingidae , olfactory receptor , olfactory system , anatomy , insect , botany , inhibitory postsynaptic potential , telecommunications , computer science
Abstract Recently, chemical analysis of solvent rinses of the external surfaces of pheromone glands from female Manduca sexta revealed a blend of 12 aldehydes, including the previously identified sex pheromone component, ( E,Z )‐10,12‐hexadecadienal (bombykal). Previous electrophysiological studies showed that olfactory (deutocerebral) interneurons in the antennal lobes of males exhibited a wide range of responsiveness to pheromonal stimulation of the ipsilateral antenna. These experiments were performed with crude extracts of pheromone glands as well as two synthetic compounds: the major pheromone component, bombykal, and ( E,Z )‐11,13‐pentadecadienal, a mimic of a second component of the female's pheromone blend. Using intracellular methods, we have now reexamined similar olfactory interneurons, using each of the 12 chemically identified components as well as synthetic blends of various combinations of them. Eight of the 12 components isolated from female glands elicited some form of response in olfactory interneurons in males. In accordance with biochemical and behavioral data, the most potent are bombykal and two trienals, ( E,E,E )‐ and ( E,E,Z )‐10,12,14‐hexadecatrienal. We also conclude that the C 15 dienal is selective for one of the trienal receptors on the antenna, but is much less potent than the natural trienal stimulant.