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Pheromones Produced by the Intact Male Mouse causes a Hypertensive Response during Restrained and Free‐Roaming conditions
Author(s) -
Wilson Justin L.,
Lee Dexter L.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.23.1_supplement.806.11
Subject(s) - saline , urine , medicine , endocrinology , heart rate , sex pheromone , mean arterial pressure , chemistry , blood pressure , biology , genetics
Pheromones regulate aggression in sexually mature male mice and castrated males no longer produce these pheromones. We tested the hypothesis that pheromones from the urine of sexually mature‐intact (SMI) males placed in a restrainer or in cage bedding would elicit a hypertensive response in male mice. Sexually mature male C57BL/6 mice were implanted with a biotelemetry device to measure mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR) and locomotor activity. All groups were exposed to 200 μl of urine from SMI males, castrated mice and saline. Urine from SMI mice placed in the cages caused a peak change in MAP (24 + 5 mmHg), HR (151 + 25 bpm) and activity (11 + 3 counts). Urine from castrated mice caused a peak change in MAP (12 + 5 mmHg), HR (93 + 15 bpm), and activity (7 + 1 counts). Saline did not increase MAP, HR or activity in any group. During restraint, urine from SMI mice caused a peak change in MAP (19 + 3 mmHg), HR (159 + 27 bpm). Urine from castrated mice caused a peak change in MAP (9 + 2 mmHg), HR (75 + bpm). Saline elicited a peak change in MAP (4 + 1 mmHg) and HR (20 + 7 bpm). These results indicate that a significant pressor response occurs when male mice are exposed to urine from SMI males. Therefore, the SMI male pheromones excreted in the cage bedding and mouse restrainers are responsible for significant increases in the pressor response.