From Nature:
Catherine Dulac and her colleagues at Harvard University genetically engineered female mice to lack a gene called TRPC2. This gene is essential for the functioning of a pheromone-sensing organ in the nose called the vomeronasal organ.
Without the gene, female mice acted exactly like males - even towards male mice - complete with mounting, pelvic thrusts and the ultrasound calls that males use to attract a mate.
Watch the film clip below.
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Sexual dimorphism in organisms is nothing new; it has long been known that in certain species one sex is often larger, flashier, or somehow markedly different than the other.
The response to Tuesday's post, currently at 97 comments, has been very interesting.
Mo, your posts are so educational that we may have to pay you tuition.
Bah...no corset, no crop, no strap-on...Google, you have failed me once again.
;)
Just kidding, interesting article. I would have suspected it would have been at least a little more complicated to trigger such behavior.