Determination of Distinction Odortypes by Mutation of Class I and Class II MHC Genes

Abstract

Genetic polymorphism in the H-2:Qa:Tla region of chromosome 17 is associated with constitutive variation of bodily odor phenotypes which permit individual olfactory recognition among mice (Boyse et al.1987). We previously found that differences in the MHC genes affect the mating choices of mice (Yamazaki et al. 1976, 1978, 1988; Andrews and Boyse, 1978; Yamaguchi et al., 1978), and that mice can be trained to distinguish arms of a Y-maze scented by odors from mice differing only in this genetic region (Yamazaki et al.,1979, 1982; Yamaguchi et al.,1981). We also showed a raised incidence of blockage of pregnancy or pseudopregnancy in mated females exposed to the scent of alien males whose MHC type differs from that of the mate (Yamazaki et al., 1983). As no known gene complex exhibits such vast diversity as the MHC, its potential as a major source for genetically based signals of individual identity is great.