Analysis of pheromones previously identified to accelerate puberty.

<p>(<b>A</b>) SDS-PAGE of fractionation of urine by molecular mass; high molecular weight retentate (HMW >3 kDa,), low molecular weight (LMW<3 kDa). kDa size marker on left. (<b>B</b>) Exposure to LMW urine fractions increases uterine mass (Dunnett's). (End body masses are not significantly different, p = 0.237). Averages of body mass (g): PBS, 16.78; HMW, 16.46; LMW, 16.64; urine, 16.8. n = 10–19 per group. (<b>C</b>) β-farnesene (250ppm) and isoamyl- and isobutylamine (50 mM each) presented in water do not increase uterine weight (Tukey's HSD). (End body masses are not significantly different, p = 0.348). Averages of body mass (g): water, 17.43; β-farnesene, 17.71; iso-amines, 17.41; urine, 18.03. n = 7–8 per group. (<b>D</b>) SBT (2.6 ppm), HMH (2000 ppm), and EEARSM (0.5 mg/ml) presented in water or PBS do not significantly increase uterine mass (Tukey's HSD). (End body masses are not significantly different, p = 0.808). Averages of body mass (g): water, 17.25; SBT, 17.56; HMH, 17.26; EEARSM, 17.24; urine, 17.62. n = 10 per group. (<b>E</b>) A blend of known pheromones (β-farnesene, IAA, IBA, HMH, SBT, and EEARSM) in PBS does not significantly increase uterine mass (Tukey's HSD). (End body masses are not significantly different, p = 0.20). Averages of body mass (g): PBS, 16.79; pheromones, 17.05; urine, 17.36. n = 13 per group. (<b>F</b>) Neither water nor a blend of known pheromones (β-farnesene, HMH, SBT, and EEARSM) added to urine from castrated males (+ castrated MU) generates an increase in uterine mass (Tukey's HSD). (End body masses are not significantly different, p = 0.286). Averages of body mass (g): PBS, 16.81; castrate MU, 16.97; blend castrate MU, 17.03; urine, 17.45. n = 8–10 per group. *p<0.05, **p<0.01, ***p<0.001.