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past feature
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On the
Nose
Mice prefer to mate with partners that
express different MHC (major
hiscompatibility complex) genes from their
own to achieve genetic diversity.
Researchers in Germany have used an
electronic nose and mass spectrometry to
"sniff out" the urine markers that signal
mouse matrimony.
Volatile components in urine that are
MHC-dependent have been shown to influence
mating behaviour in mice. A group at the
University of Tubingen have used a gas
sensor array coupled with mass
spectrometry as an electronic nose to
identify the odouress constitutents.
The electronic nose consists of a quartz
microbalance of eight individual sensors
each coated with a difference polymer
coating. The mass-sensitive crystals
change their frequency according to the
size of the absorbed molecules. A second
set of gas sensors consist of metal oxide
surfaces that alter their conductivity
based on interactions with volatile
constituents in the urine. The vapour
above the surfaces is further analysed by
gas-chromatography/mass spectrometry to
identify and quantitate the volatile
components present.
The approach enables the odor types of
different mouse strains to be identified.
The researchers report that same sex mice
can be characterized according to their
odour profiles and that the dominant
components of the odour are
MHC-dependent.
What the study is unable to answer is
whether mice use the same urine components
to differentiate their sexual partners.
Interestingly, humans also appear to use
body odour signals to attract partners.
One reported study found that female
students prefer the odour of males who
possess different genetic traits. The
attraction mates, however, in humans is
more complex as many sociocultural
influences and the use of perfumed
cosmetics can influence and conceal
natural odours.
The full report is featured in the July 31
issue of Proceedings of the
National Academy of
Sciences.
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