Sex Differences in Mouse Exploratory Behaviour to Fel d 1, a Cat ABP-Like Protein
Fel d 1 is a cat protein abundantly released and found in their habitat and is closely related to mouse androgen-binding proteins (ABPs). We hypothesized that mice have developed chemical communication mechanisms to detect and avoid this protein. We tested purified natural Fel d 1, a fox faeces mole...
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MDPI AG
2021-11-01
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| Series: | Animals |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/11/11/3149 |
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| author | Carlos Grau Cécile Bienboire-Frosini Sana Arroub Céline Lafont-Lecuelle Julien Leclercq Patrick Pageat |
| author_facet | Carlos Grau Cécile Bienboire-Frosini Sana Arroub Céline Lafont-Lecuelle Julien Leclercq Patrick Pageat |
| author_sort | Carlos Grau |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Fel d 1 is a cat protein abundantly released and found in their habitat and is closely related to mouse androgen-binding proteins (ABPs). We hypothesized that mice have developed chemical communication mechanisms to detect and avoid this protein. We tested purified natural Fel d 1, a fox faeces molecule (TMT) as a positive control, and a negative control (purified water) in three different mouse groups (<i>n</i> = 14 each) to evaluate exploratory behaviour and stress responses. The mice did not show clear avoidance or stress responses to Fel d 1. Our results demonstrated a sex-treatment interaction for Fel d 1, with males spending more time in the areas treated with Fel d 1 than in the untreated areas (<i>p</i> = 0.018). This sex-treated area interaction was also not observed for either the blank or TMT. These results suggest that Fel d 1 from domestic cats could be recognized differently by male and female mice. These sex differences could be linked to the sexual role of ABP proteins and the ABP-like characteristics of Fel d 1. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T05:46:15Z |
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| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T05:46:15Z |
| publishDate | 2021-11-01 |
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| spelling | doaj.art-880ede2c097948b5b04d36c9742805cf2023-11-22T22:06:10ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152021-11-011111314910.3390/ani11113149Sex Differences in Mouse Exploratory Behaviour to Fel d 1, a Cat ABP-Like ProteinCarlos Grau0Cécile Bienboire-Frosini1Sana Arroub2Céline Lafont-Lecuelle3Julien Leclercq4Patrick Pageat5Department of Chemical Ecology, Research Institute in Semiochemistry and Applied Ethology (IRSEA), Quartier Salignan, 84400 Apt, FranceDepartment of Behavioural and Physiological Mechanisms of Adaptation, Research Institute in Semiochemistry and Applied Ethology (IRSEA), Quartier Salignan, 84400 Apt, FranceStatistical Service Unit, Research and Education Directory Board Services, Research Institute in Semiochemistry and Applied Ethology (IRSEA), Quartier Salignan, 84400 Apt, FranceStatistical Service Unit, Research and Education Directory Board Services, Research Institute in Semiochemistry and Applied Ethology (IRSEA), Quartier Salignan, 84400 Apt, FranceAnimal Research Unit, Research and Education Directory Board Services, Research Institute in Semiochemistry and Applied Ethology (IRSEA), Quartier Salignan, 84400 Apt, FranceDepartment of Chemical Ecology, Research Institute in Semiochemistry and Applied Ethology (IRSEA), Quartier Salignan, 84400 Apt, FranceFel d 1 is a cat protein abundantly released and found in their habitat and is closely related to mouse androgen-binding proteins (ABPs). We hypothesized that mice have developed chemical communication mechanisms to detect and avoid this protein. We tested purified natural Fel d 1, a fox faeces molecule (TMT) as a positive control, and a negative control (purified water) in three different mouse groups (<i>n</i> = 14 each) to evaluate exploratory behaviour and stress responses. The mice did not show clear avoidance or stress responses to Fel d 1. Our results demonstrated a sex-treatment interaction for Fel d 1, with males spending more time in the areas treated with Fel d 1 than in the untreated areas (<i>p</i> = 0.018). This sex-treated area interaction was also not observed for either the blank or TMT. These results suggest that Fel d 1 from domestic cats could be recognized differently by male and female mice. These sex differences could be linked to the sexual role of ABP proteins and the ABP-like characteristics of Fel d 1.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/11/11/3149Fel d 1predator-prey interactionsmouse behaviourallelochemicalandrogen-binding proteinssecretoglobin |
| spellingShingle | Carlos Grau Cécile Bienboire-Frosini Sana Arroub Céline Lafont-Lecuelle Julien Leclercq Patrick Pageat Sex Differences in Mouse Exploratory Behaviour to Fel d 1, a Cat ABP-Like Protein Animals Fel d 1 predator-prey interactions mouse behaviour allelochemical androgen-binding proteins secretoglobin |
| title | Sex Differences in Mouse Exploratory Behaviour to Fel d 1, a Cat ABP-Like Protein |
| title_full | Sex Differences in Mouse Exploratory Behaviour to Fel d 1, a Cat ABP-Like Protein |
| title_fullStr | Sex Differences in Mouse Exploratory Behaviour to Fel d 1, a Cat ABP-Like Protein |
| title_full_unstemmed | Sex Differences in Mouse Exploratory Behaviour to Fel d 1, a Cat ABP-Like Protein |
| title_short | Sex Differences in Mouse Exploratory Behaviour to Fel d 1, a Cat ABP-Like Protein |
| title_sort | sex differences in mouse exploratory behaviour to fel d 1 a cat abp like protein |
| topic | Fel d 1 predator-prey interactions mouse behaviour allelochemical androgen-binding proteins secretoglobin |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/11/11/3149 |
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