Abstract
Chemical signals can influence mammalian reproduction at several levels, ranging from molecular signals within the cell derived from the genome to pheromones being communicated among individuals. Among adult mammals, chemical signals can serve as conspecific attractants to bring mates into proximity (Johnston, 1983) or result in regulation of the onset of puberty and adult ovarian cyclicity (Vandenbergh, 1983; 1994). We have become accustomed to calling such signals pheromones when they are emitted by one organism, transmitted through the environment, and have a behavioral or physiological effect on another organism. Here, we propose to include the chemical agents that are transmitted from one fetus to another in the intrauterine environment as priming pheromones (Vandenbergh, 1991).
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Vandenbergh, J.G., Hotchkiss, A.K. (2001). Inter-Fetal Communication and Adult Phenotype in Mice. In: Marchlewska-Koj, A., Lepri, J.J., Müller-Schwarze, D. (eds) Chemical Signals in Vertebrates 9. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-0671-3_24
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-0671-3_24
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