DNA damage induction in bone marrow cells of mice after farnesenes and 2,5-dimethylpyrazine sniffing

Background . Pheromones are an important regulatory link of synecological contacts in numerous animal species. Chemo-signaling participates in establishing of population social structure, it regulates different types of behavior, changes hormonal state and maturation rate, etc. It also can affect the genetic material expression and integrity. Material and methods . Groups of adult males of CBA/Lac/Sto/Rap strain were exposed to volatile chemosignals (mixture of α- and β-farnesenes or 2,5-dime thylpyrazine) for 2 or 24 hours. Bone marrow cells were prepared for single cell gel electrophoresis (comet assay test). Content of DNA in comet cells were analyzed. In case of 24 hours exposure bone marrow cells were fixed also for ana-telophase analysis. Results. It is shown that exposures with farnesenes or 2,5-DMP both damage genetic material of bone marrow cells. It also followed by induction of mitotic aberration frequency. Simultaneous exposure with all chemosignals does not increase damaging effect. Conclusion . Chemosignals which serve as stress-pheromones in mice decrease also the integrity of genetic material in bone marrow cells of recipients. It could be a mechanism of pheromonal impact on density and space-genetic structure of mouse populations.