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Chemical communication of gametes
Otčenášková, Tereza ; Komrsková, Kateřina (advisor) ; Petr, Jaroslav (referee)
Fertilization is a multiple step process leading to fusion of female and male gametes resulting in a formation of a zygote. Besides direct gamete interaction via binding receptors localized on both oocyte and sperm surface, fertilization also involves communication based on chemical molecules triggering various signalling pathways. This work is aimed to characterize chemical communication of gametes of a model organism Mus musculus. For this purpose, modern proteomic and visualisation methods like nano-liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (nLC-MS/MS), selected reaction monitoring (SRM) and immunofluorescent microscopy were used. Lipocalins were identified as candidate proteins involved in communication including those from major urinary proteins (MUPs), LCN lipocalins and fatty acid binding proteins (FABPs). For the first time, we report their presence in the sperm acrosome. Based on lipocalins capacity to bind and transport other molecules, we propose that these proteins have a protective and/or signalling role for gametes. Furthermore, chemical communication between sperm and oocyte is based on chemotaxis which enables their interaction before their fusion. In this work, we detected that spermatozoa show chemotactic responses in the presence of L-glutamate. This amino acid naturally...
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Perception of individual variation in body odour in human adults
Fialová, Jitka ; Havlíček, Jan (advisor) ; Schaal, Benoist (referee) ; Stopka, Pavel (referee)
The thesis consists of two parts. The first part introduces the topic of human chemical communication and reviews current evidence on individual variation in human body odour and its perception. This part is framed by sexual selection theory. In the first chapter, the concept of the theory of communication is introduced followed by a discussion on the specifics of chemical communication. Next, the formation of individually specific body odour signatures with reference to skin glands, their volatile products and the subsequent metabolization by skin microflora is described. The next chapters are dedicated to selected interindividual body odour cues such as sex and kin recognition, genetic compatibility in genes of Major Histocompatibility Complex, and health and reproductive status in a mate choice context. Furthermore, interactions between perfumes and body odours are discussed. Finally, methods of body odour sampling are introduced and a rationale behind presenting individual samples or body odour blends is discussed. The second part is comprised of six scientific papers, specifically three reviews and three empirical studies. Review papers summarize factors affecting human body odour quality with emphasis on diet and affective states. The first text shows that human body odours contain cues to...
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Scent glands of true bugs (Heteroptera) and their pattern in micropterous bed bug Cimex lectularius (Cimicidae)
Wiesnerová, Markéta ; Vilímová, Jitka (advisor) ; Kment, Petr (referee)
Chemical communication is considered to be very common type of communication within the insects. Taxon true bugs, the suborder Heteroptera (Insecta: Hemiptera) is well known concerning this type of communication. It is based on a secretion of glands from which the most important are dorsoabdominal scent glands (DAGs) of nymphs and metathoracic scent glands (MTGs) of adults. The present study includes a summary of the knowledge about heteropteran scent glands, including the glands in micropterous bed bug, Cimex lectularius (Linnaeus, 1758) (Cimicidae). Also information about chemical composition and function of the secretion is included. Key words: Heteroptera, DAGs, MTGs, scent glands, bed bug Cimex lectularius, composition of secretion
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Mechanisms of the transfer of chemical signals in field mice of the genus Apodemus
Havrdová, Leona ; Stopková, Romana (advisor) ; Vošlajerová, Barbora (referee)
Proteins from the lipocalin family play significant roles during the transport of chemical signals. These globular proteins (molecular mass: 17,7 - 21,7 kDa) are able to bind a wide spectrum of volatile ligands. Since they decay continuously, the scent impact is prolonged. Major urinary proteins (MUPs) are lipocalins, typically found in the urine and used during olfactory communication in the house mouse. But the urine is not the only source of chemical signals. Many species of mammals perform selfgrooming - a technique in which saliva is transported into the fur. The goal of the thesis is to identify main proteins that are involved in chemical communication by selected species of the genus Apodemus, and to discover the source of production (i.e. saliva or urine). The Experion capillary electrophoresis system was used to confirm the absence of lipocalins in the urine in two Apodemus species (A. uralensis, A. sylvaticus). Furthermore, a lot of lipocalins is present in the saliva of above-mentioned species. The quantity and types of salivary lipocalins was identified by 2D electrophoresis along with mass spectrometry analyses (MALDI MS/MS) in three species of the genus Apodemus (A. uralensis, A. sylvaticus and A. flavicollis). The conclusion of this inter-specific comparison suggests, that sociality...
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Chemical communication of gametes
Otčenášková, Tereza ; Komrsková, Kateřina (advisor) ; Petr, Jaroslav (referee)
Fertilization is a multiple step process leading to fusion of female and male gametes resulting in a formation of a zygote. Besides direct gamete interaction via binding receptors localized on both oocyte and sperm surface, fertilization also involves communication based on chemical molecules triggering various signalling pathways. This work is aimed to characterize chemical communication of gametes of a model organism Mus musculus. For this purpose, modern proteomic and visualisation methods like nano-liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (nLC-MS/MS), selected reaction monitoring (SRM) and immunofluorescent microscopy were used. Lipocalins were identified as candidate proteins involved in communication including those from major urinary proteins (MUPs), LCN lipocalins and fatty acid binding proteins (FABPs). For the first time, we report their presence in the sperm acrosome. Based on lipocalins capacity to bind and transport other molecules, we propose that these proteins have a protective and/or signalling role for gametes. Furthermore, chemical communication between sperm and oocyte is based on chemotaxis which enables their interaction before their fusion. In this work, we detected that spermatozoa show chemotactic responses in the presence of L-glutamate. This amino acid naturally...
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Scent glands of true bugs (Heteroptera) and their pattern in micropterous bed bug Cimex lectularius (Cimicidae)
Wiesnerová, Markéta ; Vilímová, Jitka (advisor) ; Kment, Petr (referee)
Chemical communication is considered to be very common type of communication within the insects. Taxon true bugs, the suborder Heteroptera (Insecta: Hemiptera) is well known concerning this type of communication. It is based on a secretion of glands from which the most important are dorsoabdominal scent glands (DAGs) of nymphs and metathoracic scent glands (MTGs) of adults. The present study includes a summary of the knowledge about heteropteran scent glands, including the glands in micropterous bed bug, Cimex lectularius (Linnaeus, 1758) (Cimicidae). Also information about chemical composition and function of the secretion is included. Key words: Heteroptera, DAGs, MTGs, scent glands, bed bug Cimex lectularius, composition of secretion
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Mechanisms of human body odour production
Hrubová, Noemi ; Havlíček, Jan (advisor) ; Stopková, Romana (referee)
The sterile secret of skin glands is not immediately odoriferous. The characteristic body odour is released after microorganism transformation of the secreted compounds. The aim of the work is to elucidate the mechanisms of the body odour production. The major contributor to the body odour are volatile fatty acids hydrolysed from glutamine precursors, structurally unusual long- chain fatty acids or lipids. Another component are sulphur compounds, mainly secreted as the Cys-Gly-(S) conjugates, and steroid substances. The genus Corynebacterium is associated with these transformations and intense body odour. The composition of the resident microflora varies depending on age and gender. Axillary odour with large apocrine secretion has probably biggest importance for human chemical communication. Apocrine glands secretion starts during puberty and decreases in postmenopausal women. There are quantitative differences between gender composition of sweat. In the Asian population is more common the recessive homozygosity of the ABCC11 gene which is associated with lower body odour intensity. Also MHC proteins effect body odour and they seem to play a role in mate choice. To some extent, the environmental factors such as diet or emotions influence body odour. Knowledge of mechanisms behind body odour...
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Perception of individual variation in body odour in human adults
Fialová, Jitka ; Havlíček, Jan (advisor) ; Schaal, Benoist (referee) ; Stopka, Pavel (referee)
The thesis consists of two parts. The first part introduces the topic of human chemical communication and reviews current evidence on individual variation in human body odour and its perception. This part is framed by sexual selection theory. In the first chapter, the concept of the theory of communication is introduced followed by a discussion on the specifics of chemical communication. Next, the formation of individually specific body odour signatures with reference to skin glands, their volatile products and the subsequent metabolization by skin microflora is described. The next chapters are dedicated to selected interindividual body odour cues such as sex and kin recognition, genetic compatibility in genes of Major Histocompatibility Complex, and health and reproductive status in a mate choice context. Furthermore, interactions between perfumes and body odours are discussed. Finally, methods of body odour sampling are introduced and a rationale behind presenting individual samples or body odour blends is discussed. The second part is comprised of six scientific papers, specifically three reviews and three empirical studies. Review papers summarize factors affecting human body odour quality with emphasis on diet and affective states. The first text shows that human body odours contain cues to...
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The role of olfactory perception in newborns
Staňková, Jana ; Třebická Fialová, Jitka (advisor) ; Stopková, Romana (referee)
One of the most important relationships in our lives is the bond between mother and child. A considerable amount of studies have shown that olfaction plays an important role in establishing this bond. As previous research already demonstrated, mothers who spend more time with their children and form a closer relationship with them are better at recognizing their child's body odor. Similarly, newborns are relatively successful at recognizing the smell of their mother, the smell of their mother's breast and the scent of their own amniotic fluid. These scents, compared to others, are not only more preferred by newborns but also appear soothing for them. Moreover, the smell of mother's breast plays a crucial role in starting of breastfeeding. The environment in utero is rather deprived of auditory and visual stimuli and thus olfactory cues play an important role in this ontogeny phase. It has been shown that prenatal exposure to odorants through amniotic fluid affects subsequent reactions of children. The effect is conveyed through food that the mother ingests; these odors are then received more positively than the odors that children were not previously exposed to. This early acquaintance with smells and flavors typical for a specific culture might, to some extent, shape the later eating habits of...
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The influence of chemical stimuli on the behaviour of the cockroach Amazonina platystylata (Blattodea: Ectobiidae)
Jůna, František ; Kotyková Varadínová, Zuzana (advisor) ; Nedvěd, Oldřich (referee)
Cockroaches are not considered typical plant pollinators, however, there are some exceptions to this rule. One of them is the South American species Amazonina platystylata, which is known for pollinating a dioecious shrub Clusia blattophila. This clusia is quite abundant on the Nouragues inselberg in French Guyana and is endemic there. In my research I was focused on the plant-animal communication. The aim of this thesis was to find possible behavioural response to the flower scent of clusia or to the compounds of flower scent, as clusia flowers differ in compounds of scent. Male flowers produce acetoin as a major compound. This compound is also found in female flowers but only at lower levels and in the first night of flowering. When acetoin was added to two days old female flowers, the amount of cockroaches' visits in such flowers increased to the same level as observed on male flowers. Until now there were no records about biology of this cockroach species and neither was morphology of their glands described. I have found out that both males and females of A. platystylata have tergal modification on the 7th to 8th tergite; a modification that could be connected to their glands. Evaporation plate on the first tergal shield in A. platystylata is described in this thesis for the first time. Key...
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