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Adaptive Functions

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Primer Effects by Murine Pheromone Signaling

Part of the book series: SpringerBriefs in Animal Sciences ((BRIEFSANIMAL))

Abstract

What is the function of primer effects? Suppression of estrous cycle when males are not around (Lee–Boot effect) and coming into estrus when females are exposed to males’ odors (Whitten effect) would be highly adaptive in reproduction. Also, being unable to establish pregnancy (Bruce effect) by exposure to unfamiliar males’ odor is also adaptive considering that there is higher risk of infanticide by the male. Enhanced neurogenesis in virgin female mice by exposure to male pheromones enabled them to distinguish and prefer dominant males than subordinate males, which would enhance reproductive success with dominant males. These studies suggest that primer effects can have high adaptive function. Studies in humans have shown possibilities that primer effects are possible in humans as well. Studies using mice as model animal may provide further insights into the possible primer effects in humans. How can we enhance our survival using odors?

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Medicine, Medical Science Program, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA

    Sachiko Koyama

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  1. Sachiko Koyama
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Correspondence to Sachiko Koyama .

Appendix

Appendix

Table A.1 List of mouse releaser effects and primer effects
Full size table

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Koyama, S. (2016). Adaptive Functions. In: Primer Effects by Murine Pheromone Signaling. SpringerBriefs in Animal Sciences. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-13933-3_7

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