Pheromones are chemical substances that individuals release into the external environment that affect the behavior and/or physiological states of other individuals of the same species. It is one of the major forms of communication. Although a number of pheromones have been identified in insects and are now being use as a non-invasive form of pest control, little is known about precise neural, endocrine and evolutionary bases of pheromone function in vertebrates. Dr. Sorensen reports that fish have evolved a highly-developed chemosensory and pheromonal signalling system which play fundamental roles in mediating reproduction and other behavior interactions. He has described two hormonal pheromones, one of which is comprised of unknown metabolites of F prostaglandin. These results are particularly intriguing since prostaglandins are thought to mediate reproduction in many fish. Dr. Sorensen has teamed with Dr. Goetz, an endocrinologist, and Dr. Brash, a prostaglandin biochemist, to determine the chemical identities, biological functions and hormonal origins of the F prostaglandin metabolites. This research is of both scientific and practical importance. First, the results will demonstrate for the first time in a vertebrate the intimate link between hormones, pheromones, olfactory function and behavior. Thus, the findings have broad implications about fundamental mechanisms underlying the neuroendocrine basis of sex pheromone function in vertebrates. Second, the intimate relationships between hormones and pheromones revealed by this work should have direct carryover into improved aquacultural practices that require controlled maturation and synchronous spawning. The application of pheromones have enormous potential among both wild and cultured fish that are experiencing reproductive failure and for which direct hormone manipulations is too difficult, stressful or costly. Conversely, as is presently the case with bio-control of insects, pheromones may be used to control undesirable exotic fish such as the lamprey by attracting them to traps, repelling them, or confounding their reproductive behaviors.
