The secret of attracting an animal's partner

A US team has discovered new receptors that mice use to detect pheromones - the sex hormones released by potential partners. Notably, people also have the ability to "sniff" similar.

Many animals respond to sexual chemical signals, or pheromones.
(Photo: worth1000)

Rats, like other animals, can detect many different flavors, thanks to receptors (receptors) attached to specific cells in the nose. When an odor flies to the "knocking door" receptor, a signal will be sent to the brain processing center - which confirms it as a specific odor.

Dr. Linda Buck (photo: fhcrc.org) Animals have about 1,000 different flavor receptors, giving them the ability to identify and distinguish a large number of smells.

Now, researchers have found a new family of receptors, located in the nasal mucosa of mice. They respond to volatile natural chemicals called amines (derived from ammonia). These receptors detect some chemicals in the urine of mice, including a stress-related chemical and other chemicals that are considered mating signals.

Genes that decode these receptors are found not only in mice but also in fish and humans, proving that humans are also affected by the chemicals used in love games.

The study was conducted by Dr. Linda Buck and Stephen Liberles from Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, Washington, USA.

T. An