Untitled

Abstract

The chemosensory identity of mice and rats is determined partly by polymorphic genes of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). In inbred strains of mice, as well as in seminatural populations, MHC-associated mating preferences selectively influence reproductive success, thus serving to promote heterozygocity in the MHC. In order to determine whether MHC-associated chemosignals are present in humans, two studies were conducted. In a first study, olfactory identification of MHC-associated chemosignals was conducted on 12 trained rats' responses to the urine odors of humans. In a second study, MHC-associated olfactory cues in humans were analyzed by means of gas chromatography. The results indicate that the urine odors of humans are associated with the MHC and demonstrate that the profile of volatile components in the urine odors shows some association with the MHC. Furthermore, results show that a profile of some specific components, as well as a few ubiquitous volatiles, constitutes MHC-associated odor signals in humans.

Odour signals major histocompatibility complex genotype in an Old World monkey

“…[24][25][26]). Volatile components of human urine are also associated with the MHC genotype [27]. Related, or genetically similar, individuals are likely to possess similar MHC genotypes, and a relationship between kinship or overall genetic distance and similarity in odour profile has been reported for some vertebrate species [28][29][30][31][32].…”

Risk for intentional violent death associated with HLA genotypes: a preliminary survey of deceased American organ donors

“…At the same time, studies of humans and other vertebrate animals consistently show female preferences for HLA heterozygous males (Zavazava and Eggert 1997;Lewis 1998;Eggert et al 1999aEggert et al , 1999bWobst et al 1999;Wedekind and Penn 2000;Schaefer et al 2001;Piertney and Oliver 2006;Chaix et al 2008). With respect to sexual selection and individual HLA genetics, no study has addressed the possibility of related aggressive behaviors that could be associated with HLA genotypes, given that aggression is correlated with mating success (Lorenz 1966;Wilson 1975).…”

“…A growing body of research suggests evolutionary associations between certain human HLA genotypes, specific infectious and immune-related diseases (McKusick et al 1997;Fondaneche et al 1998;Flores-Villanueva et al 2001;Lin et al 2001;Ackerman et al 2003;McCanlies et al 2003;Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute 2003;Meyer et al 2005). Moreover, individual mating selection for HLA heterozygosity seems to be in relationship with fitness and disease resistance (Gangestad and Thornhill 1997;Wedekind and Furi 1997;Eggert et al 1999a;Wobst et al 1999;Wedekind and Penn 2000;Thornhill et al 2003;Gangestad et al 2005;Roberts et al 2005).…”

“…The expanded Human MHC consists of three distinctive regions (Eggert et al 1999a;Mungall et al 2003;Horton et al 2004): (1) MHC I, which includes the Human Leukocyte Antigen (i.e., HLA) A, B, C, etc. antigen-encoding genes; (2) MHC II, which includes the HLA-DR, DQ, and DP antigen-encoding genes; and (3) MHC III, which includes Complement encoding genes.…”

“…Aggression is closely associated with mating and inter-individual social hierarchies in most animal models (Lorenz 1966;Wilson 1975;Hemelrijk and Kunz 2004;Brennan and Kendrick 2006;Snowdon et al 2006;Scordato and Drea 2007;Hemelrijk et al 2008), and many of these models strongly implicate HLA as a detectable, selective force (Lewis 1998;Eggert et al 1999a;Landry et al 2001;Hambuch and Lacey 2002;Yamazaki et al 2002;Milinski et al 2005;Petfield et al 2005;Brennan and Kendrick 2006). Based upon this evidence, Kohl et al (2001) suggested new approaches to studying MHC-based pheromonal recognition among humans and mammals, including precise measurements of individual HLA genotypes among interacting individuals, considerations of varying biochemistries, changes in physiological status, and human microbial flora.…”