Olfaction: attracting both sperm and the nose.
Odorant receptor genes are expressed not only in the nose but also in testes, where they have been hypothesized to play a role in sperm chemotaxis. New data demonstrate that human odorant receptor hOR 17-4 may play similar roles in both tissues, lending support to the idea that chemical attraction is important for reproduction.
Vosshall
Leslie B
LB
Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, Box 63, New York, New York 10021, USA.
D000447:Aldehydes / Q000378:metabolism; D002633:Chemotaxis / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018035:Receptors, Odorant / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology*; D029589:Seminal Plasma Proteins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D012903:Smell / Q000502:physiology*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000502:physiology*; D013737:Testis / Q000378:metabolism*
D000447:Aldehydes; C473192:OR1D2 protein, human; D018035:Receptors, Odorant; D029589:Seminal Plasma Proteins; C479548:undecanal; C473193:bourgeonal