title: Cross-generational impact of a male  murine pheromone 2-sec-butyl-4,5-  dihydrothiazole in female mice.
abstract: The current understanding of the activity of mammalian pheromones is that endocrine and behavioural effects are limited to the exposed individuals. Here, we demonstrate that the nasal exposure of female mice to a male murine pheromone stimulates expansion of mammary glands, leading to prolonged nursing of pups. Subsequent behavioural testing of the pups from pheromone-exposed dams exhibited enhanced learning. Sialic acid components in the milk are known to be involved in brain development. We hypothesized that the offspring might have received more of this key nutrient that promotes brain development. The mRNA for polysialyltransferase, which produces polysialylated neural cell adhesion molecules related to brain development,was increased in the brain of offspring of pheromone-exposed dams at post-natal day 10, while it was not different at embryonic stages, indicating possible differential brain development during early post-natal life.
authors.forename: Sachiko
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Koyama
authors.forename: Helena A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Soini
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wager-Miller
authors.forename: William R
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Alley
authors.forename: Matthew J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Pizzo
authors.forename: Cathleen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rodda
authors.forename: Jeffrey
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Alberts
authors.forename: Jonathon D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Crystal
authors.forename: Cary
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Foley
authors.forename: Milos V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Novotny
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008321:Mammary Glands, Animal / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D051379:Mice / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D010675:Pheromones / Q000378:metabolism*; D013844:Thiazoles / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D010675:Pheromones; D013844:Thiazoles; C049351:2-(sec-butyl)-4,5-dihydrothiazole