Whitten effect

The Whitten effect is a phenomenon observed by Wesley K. Whitten (1956, 1966, 1968), whereby male mouse pheromone-laden urine synchronizes the estrus cycle "among unisexually grouped females."

Although there is similarity with the McClintock effect, the latter does not posit a role for male pheromones. In addition, there is little evidence for a functioning vomeronasal system (thought to be the sensory organ that initiates the Bruce, Vandenbergh, and Whitten effects) in humans. These differences, in putative stimulus and neural pathway (as well as species observed), stringently distinguishes the Whitten and McClintock effects.

By contrast, the Lee–Boot effect observed in female mice does the opposite; when female mice housed together and isolated from males their estrous cycle gradually decreases.

See also

• Bruce effect
• Vandenbergh effect
• McClintock effect

References

• Whitten, W.K. (July 1956). "Modification of the oestrous cycle of the mouse by external stimuli associated with the male". Journal of Endocrinology 13 (4): 399–404. doi:10.1677/joe.0.0130399. ISSN 0022-0795. PMID 13345955.  Journal code: 0375363
• Whitten, WK (1957-12-21). "Effect of exteroceptive factors on the oestrous cycle of mice". Nature 180 (4599): 1436. doi:10.1038/1801436a0. PMID 13493564. 
• Gangrade, BK; Dominic, CJ (August 1984). "Studies of the male-originating pheromones involved in the Whitten effect and Bruce effect in mice". Biology of reproduction (Biology of Reproduction) 31 (1): 89–96. doi:10.1095/biolreprod31.1.89. PMID 6540606. http://www.biolreprod.org/cgi/reprint/31/1/89. 
• Whitten, W.K. (1966). "Pheromones and mammalian reproduction". Advanced Reproductive Physiology (1): 155–177. 
• Whitten, WK; Bronson, FH; Greenstein, JA (1968-08-09). "Estrus-inducing pheromone of male mice: transport by movement of air". Science 161 (3841): 584–5. doi:10.1126/science.161.3841.584. PMID 5690897.