Sex Differences in Mouse Exploratory Behaviour to Fel d 1, a Cat ABP-Like Protein
Carlos Grau,
Cécile Bienboire-Frosini,
Sana Arroub,
Céline Lafont-Lecuelle,
Julien Leclercq,
Patrick Pageat
Affiliations
Carlos Grau
Department of Chemical Ecology, Research Institute in Semiochemistry and Applied Ethology (IRSEA), Quartier Salignan, 84400 Apt, France
Cécile Bienboire-Frosini
Department of Behavioural and Physiological Mechanisms of Adaptation, Research Institute in Semiochemistry and Applied Ethology (IRSEA), Quartier Salignan, 84400 Apt, France
Sana Arroub
Statistical Service Unit, Research and Education Directory Board Services, Research Institute in Semiochemistry and Applied Ethology (IRSEA), Quartier Salignan, 84400 Apt, France
Céline Lafont-Lecuelle
Statistical Service Unit, Research and Education Directory Board Services, Research Institute in Semiochemistry and Applied Ethology (IRSEA), Quartier Salignan, 84400 Apt, France
Julien Leclercq
Animal Research Unit, Research and Education Directory Board Services, Research Institute in Semiochemistry and Applied Ethology (IRSEA), Quartier Salignan, 84400 Apt, France
Patrick Pageat
Department of Chemical Ecology, Research Institute in Semiochemistry and Applied Ethology (IRSEA), Quartier Salignan, 84400 Apt, France
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 (n = 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 (p = 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.
