The neuronal processing of pheromone signals within
distinctive brain structures leads to marked changes
in animal behavior and endocrine status. The highly
reproducible and species-specific character of the response
to pheromones offers a unique opportunity to uncover
the neural basis of genetically pre-programmed behaviors.
Basic mechanisms of pheromone detection have been
identified in a variety of animal species. We review
recent investigations into molecular and neuronal sensory
processing in the mouse, which have revealed a sensory
strategy that is strikingly different from that of other
chemosensory modalities such as taste and olfaction.
These studies have provided novel insights into the
sensory coding of pheromone signals leading to gender
identification and aggressive behavior, and into the
developmental mechanisms leading to the emergence of
distinct olfactory pathways.
