title: F-series prostaglandin function as sex pheromones in the Korean salamander, Hynobius leechii.
abstract: In order to test whether prostaglandins (PGs) function as sex pheromones in Hynobius leechii, a salamander that externally fertilizes its eggs, we conducted electro-olfactogram (EOG) studies with 19 PGs, liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analyses of female and male holding waters, and behavioral tests on selected PGs. Of the 19 PGs tested, only three induced strong EOG responses from both males and ovulated females: 15-epi-prostaglandin F2alpha (15(R)-PGF2alpha), 15-keto-prostaglandin F2alpha (15K-PGF2alpha), and 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin F2alpha (13,14-dh-15K-PGF2alpha). In the LC-MS/MS studies, samples of holding water from ovulated females contained higher concentrations of 15(R)-PGF2alpha, PGF2alpha, and 13,14-dh-15K-PGF2alpha than those from males or oviposited females. In the behavioral tests, only 15(R)-PGF2alpha and ovulated female holding water induced significant reproductive behavior from male salamanders. These results suggest that F-series prostaglandins function as sex pheromones in amphibians.
authors.affiliation: Division of Science Education, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Kangwon 200-701, South Korea.
authors.forename: Junho
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Eom
authors.forename: Young Rim
authors.initials: YR
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.forename: Daesik
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Park
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002853:Chromatography, Liquid; D055724:Electrophysiological Phenomena; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D010058:Oviposition / Q000502:physiology; D011460:Prostaglandins F / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D012724:Sex Attractants / Q000502:physiology*; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D012903:Smell / Q000502:physiology; D053719:Tandem Mass Spectrometry; D014562:Caudata / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D011460:Prostaglandins F; D012724:Sex Attractants