Lee–Boot effect

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The Lee–Boot effect is a phenomenon concerning the suppression or prolongation of oestrous cycles of mature female mice (and other rodents), when females are housed in groups and isolated from males.^[1][2] It is caused by the effects of an estrogen-dependent pheromone, possibly 2,5-dimethylpyrazine,^[3] which is released via the urine and acts on the vomeronasal organ of recipients.^[4][5] This pheromone lowers the concentration of luteinizing hormone and elevates prolactin levels, synchronising or stopping the recipient's cycle.^[6] This effect goes some way to explain why spontaneous pseudopregnancy can occur in mice. The same response is invoked from isolated females when brought into contact with urine-soaked bedding from other females' cages. The adrenal glands are required for production of the urine pheromone which is responsible for this effect.^[3]

1. ^ Lee, S. van der; Boot, L.M (1956). "Spontaneous Pseudopregnancy in Mice". Acta Physiol. Pharmacol. 5 (213). Neer.: 213–215. PMID 13402502.
2. ^ "Mouse Husbandry, Breeding and Development: Pheromone Effects". Transgenic Mouse Facility, University of California.
3. ^ ^{a b} Ma W, Miao Z, Novotny MV (1998). "Role of the adrenal gland and adrenal-mediated chemosignals in suppression of estrus in the house mouse: the Lee-Boot effect revisited". Biol Reprod. 59 (6): 1317–20. doi:10.1095/biolreprod59.6.1317. PMID 9828173.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
4. ^ Carlson, Neil R. (2013). Physiology of behavior (11th ed.). Boston: Pearson. p. 335. ISBN 978-0205239399.
5. ^ Petrulis, Aras (May 2013). "Chemosignals, Hormones and Mammalian Reproduction". Hormones and Behavior. 65 (5): 723–41. doi:10.1016/j.yhbeh.2013.03.011. PMC 3667964. PMID 23545474.
6. ^ Jemiolo, Bozena; Novotny, Milos (1994-03-01). "Inhibition of sexual maturation in juvenile female and male mice by a chemosignal of female origin". Physiology & Behavior. 55 (3): 519–522. doi:10.1016/0031-9384(94)90110-4. ISSN 0031-9384. PMID 8190771. S2CID 28082749.

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