The Experts below are selected from a list of 444 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform

Johanna S. Salzer - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • The Pox in the North American Backyard: Volepox Virus Pathogenesis in California Mice (Peromyscus californicus)
    2015
    Co-Authors: Nadia F. Gallardo-romero, Clifton P. Drew, Sonja L. Weiss, Maureen G. Metcalfe, Yoshinori J. Nakazawa, Scott K. Smith, Ginny L. Emerson, Christina L. Hutson, Johanna S. Salzer, Jeanine H. Bartlett
    Abstract:

    Volepox virus (VPXV) was first isolated in 1985 from a hind foot scab of an otherwise healthy California vole (Microtus californicus). Subsequent surveys in San Mateo County, CA, revealed serological evidence suggesting that VPXV is endemic to this area, and a second viral isolate from a Pinyon mouse (Peromyscus truei) was collected in 1988. Since then, few studies have been conducted regarding the ecology, pathology, and pathogenicity of VPXV, and its prevalence and role as a potential zoonotic agent remain unknown. To increase our understanding of VPXV disease progression, we challenged 24 California mice (Peromyscus californicus) intranasally with 1.66103 PFU of purified VPXV. By day five post infection (pi) we observed decreased activity level, conjunctivitis, ruffled hair, skin lesions, facial edema, and crusty noses. A mortality rate of 54 % was noted by day eight pi. In addition, internal organ necrosis and hemorrhages were observed during necropsy of deceased or euthanized animals. Viral loads in tissues (brain, gonad, kidney, liver, lung, spleen, submandibular lymph node, and adrenal gland), Bodily Secretions (saliva, and tears), and excretions (urine, and/or feces) were evaluated and compared using real time-PCR and tissue culture. Viral loads measured as high as 26109 PFU/mL in some organs. Our results sugges

  • the pox in the north american backyard volepox virus pathogenesis in california mice peromyscus californicus
    PLOS ONE, 2012
    Co-Authors: Nadia Gallardoromero, Clifton P. Drew, Maureen G. Metcalfe, Yoshinori J. Nakazawa, Scott K. Smith, Ginny L. Emerson, Christina L. Hutson, Johanna S. Salzer, Sonja Weiss
    Abstract:

    Volepox virus (VPXV) was first isolated in 1985 from a hind foot scab of an otherwise healthy California vole (Microtus californicus). Subsequent surveys in San Mateo County, CA, revealed serological evidence suggesting that VPXV is endemic to this area, and a second viral isolate from a Pinyon mouse (Peromyscus truei) was collected in 1988. Since then, few studies have been conducted regarding the ecology, pathology, and pathogenicity of VPXV, and its prevalence and role as a potential zoonotic agent remain unknown. To increase our understanding of VPXV disease progression, we challenged 24 California mice (Peromyscus californicus) intranasally with 1.6×103 PFU of purified VPXV. By day five post infection (pi) we observed decreased activity level, conjunctivitis, ruffled hair, skin lesions, facial edema, and crusty noses. A mortality rate of 54% was noted by day eight pi. In addition, internal organ necrosis and hemorrhages were observed during necropsy of deceased or euthanized animals. Viral loads in tissues (brain, gonad, kidney, liver, lung, spleen, submandibular lymph node, and adrenal gland), Bodily Secretions (saliva, and tears), and excretions (urine, and/or feces) were evaluated and compared using real time-PCR and tissue culture. Viral loads measured as high as 2×109 PFU/mL in some organs. Our results suggest that VPXV can cause extreme morbidity and mortality within rodent populations sympatric with the known VPXV reservoirs.

Christine M Drea - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • genetic variation at mhc class ii loci influences both olfactory signals and scent discrimination in ring tailed lemurs
    BMC Evolutionary Biology, 2019
    Co-Authors: Kathleen E Grogan, Rachel L Harris, Marylene Boulet, Christine M Drea
    Abstract:

    Diversity at the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) is critical to health and fitness, such that MHC genotype may predict an individual’s quality or compatibility as a competitor, ally, or mate. Moreover, because MHC products can influence the components of Bodily Secretions, an individual’s body odors may signal its MHC composition and influence partner identification or mate choice. Here, we investigated MHC-based signaling and recipient sensitivity by testing for odor-gene covariance and behavioral discrimination of MHC diversity and pairwise dissimilarity in a strepsirrhine primate, the ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta). First, we coupled genotyping of the MHC class II gene, DRB, with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of genital gland Secretions to investigate if functional genetic diversity is signaled by the chemical diversity of lemur scent Secretions. We also assessed if the chemical similarity between individuals correlated with their MHC-DRB similarity. Next, we assessed if lemurs discriminated this chemically encoded, genetic information in opposite-sex conspecifics. We found that both sexes signaled overall MHC-DRB diversity and pairwise MHC-DRB similarity via genital Secretions, but in a sex- and season-dependent manner. Additionally, the sexes discriminated absolute and relative MHC-DRB diversity in the genital odors of opposite-sex conspecifics, suggesting that lemur genital odors function to advertise genetic quality. In summary, genital odors of ring-tailed lemurs provide honest information about an individual’s absolute and relative MHC quality. Complementing evidence in humans and Old World monkeys, we suggest that reliance on scent signals to communicate MHC quality may be important across the primate lineage.

  • Genetic variation at MHC class II loci influences both olfactory signals and scent discrimination in ring-tailed lemurs
    'Springer Science and Business Media LLC', 2019
    Co-Authors: Kathleen E Grogan, Rachel L Harris, Marylene Boulet, Christine M Drea
    Abstract:

    Abstract Background Diversity at the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) is critical to health and fitness, such that MHC genotype may predict an individual’s quality or compatibility as a competitor, ally, or mate. Moreover, because MHC products can influence the components of Bodily Secretions, an individual’s body odors may signal its MHC composition and influence partner identification or mate choice. Here, we investigated MHC-based signaling and recipient sensitivity by testing for odor-gene covariance and behavioral discrimination of MHC diversity and pairwise dissimilarity in a strepsirrhine primate, the ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta). Methods First, we coupled genotyping of the MHC class II gene, DRB, with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of genital gland Secretions to investigate if functional genetic diversity is signaled by the chemical diversity of lemur scent Secretions. We also assessed if the chemical similarity between individuals correlated with their MHC-DRB similarity. Next, we assessed if lemurs discriminated this chemically encoded, genetic information in opposite-sex conspecifics. Results We found that both sexes signaled overall MHC-DRB diversity and pairwise MHC-DRB similarity via genital Secretions, but in a sex- and season-dependent manner. Additionally, the sexes discriminated absolute and relative MHC-DRB diversity in the genital odors of opposite-sex conspecifics, suggesting that lemur genital odors function to advertise genetic quality. Conclusions In summary, genital odors of ring-tailed lemurs provide honest information about an individual’s absolute and relative MHC quality. Complementing evidence in humans and Old World monkeys, we suggest that reliance on scent signals to communicate MHC quality may be important across the primate lineage

  • mhc genetic variation influences both olfactory signals and scent discrimination in ring tailed lemurs
    bioRxiv, 2018
    Co-Authors: Kathleen E Grogan, Rachel L Harris, Marylene Boulet, Christine M Drea
    Abstract:

    Diversity at the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) is critical to health and fitness, such that MHC genotype may predict an individual′s quality or compatibility as a competitor, ally, or mate. Moreover, because MHC products can influence the components of Bodily Secretions, an individual′s body odor may signal its MHC and influence partner identification or mate choice. To investigate MHC-based signaling and recipient sensitivity, we test for odor-gene covariance and behavioral discrimination of MHC diversity and pairwise dissimilarity, under the good genes and good fit paradigms, in a strepsirrhine primate, the ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta). First, we coupled genotyping with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to investigate if diversity of the MHC-DRB gene is signaled by the chemical diversity of lemur genital scent gland Secretions. We also assessed if the chemical similarity between individuals correlated with their MHC similarity. Next, we assessed if lemurs discriminated this chemically encoded, genetic information in opposite-sex conspecifics. We found that both sexes signaled overall MHC diversity and pairwise MHC similarity via genital Secretions, but in a sex- and season-dependent manner. Additionally, both sexes discriminated absolute and relative MHC-DRB diversity in the genital odors of opposite-sex conspecifics, supporting previous findings that lemur genital odors function as advertisement of genetic quality. In this species, genital odors provide honest information about an individual′s absolute and relative MHC quality. Complementing evidence in humans and Old World monkeys, our results suggest that reliance on scent signals to communicate MHC quality may be important across the primate lineage.

Nadia Gallardoromero - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • the pox in the north american backyard volepox virus pathogenesis in california mice peromyscus californicus
    PLOS ONE, 2012
    Co-Authors: Nadia Gallardoromero, Clifton P. Drew, Maureen G. Metcalfe, Yoshinori J. Nakazawa, Scott K. Smith, Ginny L. Emerson, Christina L. Hutson, Johanna S. Salzer, Sonja Weiss
    Abstract:

    Volepox virus (VPXV) was first isolated in 1985 from a hind foot scab of an otherwise healthy California vole (Microtus californicus). Subsequent surveys in San Mateo County, CA, revealed serological evidence suggesting that VPXV is endemic to this area, and a second viral isolate from a Pinyon mouse (Peromyscus truei) was collected in 1988. Since then, few studies have been conducted regarding the ecology, pathology, and pathogenicity of VPXV, and its prevalence and role as a potential zoonotic agent remain unknown. To increase our understanding of VPXV disease progression, we challenged 24 California mice (Peromyscus californicus) intranasally with 1.6×103 PFU of purified VPXV. By day five post infection (pi) we observed decreased activity level, conjunctivitis, ruffled hair, skin lesions, facial edema, and crusty noses. A mortality rate of 54% was noted by day eight pi. In addition, internal organ necrosis and hemorrhages were observed during necropsy of deceased or euthanized animals. Viral loads in tissues (brain, gonad, kidney, liver, lung, spleen, submandibular lymph node, and adrenal gland), Bodily Secretions (saliva, and tears), and excretions (urine, and/or feces) were evaluated and compared using real time-PCR and tissue culture. Viral loads measured as high as 2×109 PFU/mL in some organs. Our results suggest that VPXV can cause extreme morbidity and mortality within rodent populations sympatric with the known VPXV reservoirs.

Bernard-stoecklin Sibylle - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Rôle des leucocytes infectés du sperme dans la transmission muqueuse du VIH : modèle expérimental de l’infection par le SIVmac251 de Macaca fascicularis
    HAL CCSD, 2013
    Co-Authors: Bernard-stoecklin Sibylle
    Abstract:

    Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection mostly spreads by the mucosal route: sexual transmission is the dominant mode of transmission, responsible for between 85% and 90% of cases of infection worldwide. These epidemiological data indicate that semen is one of the major sources of HIV-1 transmission. Semen, like other Bodily Secretions involved in HIV sexual transmission, contains the virus as two forms: cell-free viral particles and cell-associated virus, mostly in infected leukocytes. Although cell-to-cell HIV transmission has been extensively described as more efficient, rapid and resistant to host immune responses, very few studies have investigated the role in vivo of infected leukocytes in virus mucosal transmission. One such study has been recently conducted in our lab, and demonstrated that SIV-infected splenocytes are able to transmit infection to female macaques after vaginal exposure. However, all these studies used immune cells from peripheral blood or lymphoid tissues, such as spleen, and none have investigated the capacity of infected leukocytes in semen to transmit the infection in vivo. Indeed, nature, phenotype and infectivity of HIV associated with semen leukocytes may be different from that of HIV from other sources.Therefore, the objectives of this work are, first, to study of semen leukocytes and their dynamics during SIVmac251 infection in detail, then to investigate seminal factors that may influence semen infectiousness, and finally to test semen leukocyte infectivity in vitro and in vivo, using a model of mucosal exposure in cynomolgus macaques.Macaque semen contains all the target cells for HIV/SIV: CD4+ T cells, macrophages and dendritic cells in lower proportions. Semen CD4+ T cells and macrophages display an activation, differenciation and expression of migration markers profile which is typical of mucosal leucocytes. SIV infection induces significant changes in their phenotype and dynamics. Both cell types can be productively infected and are found in the semen at all stages of infection. These observations suggest that semen CD4+ T cells and macrophages may be able to transmit infection after mucosal exposure.If the role of semen infected leukocytes in HIV/SIV mucosal transmission is confirmed in vivo, this mechanism will be important to consider for further preventive strategies design, like microbicides.Aujourd’hui, plus de 80% des nouvelles infections par le virus de l’immunodéficience humaine (VIH) se produisent au cours d’un rapport sexuel, avec une transmission du virus par voie muqueuse. Le sperme constitue donc une source majeure de virus à l’échelle mondiale. Le sperme d’hommes infectés par le VIH contient le virus sous deux formes : des particules virales libres et des cellules infectées, principalement des leucocytes.Plusieurs hypothèses ont été proposées afin d’expliquer le passage du virus à travers la barrière muqueuse, qu’il s’agisse d’une muqueuse génitale (cervico-vaginale, pénienne ou urétrale) ou intestinale (muqueuse anale ou rectale). Toutefois, une grande majorité des études qui ont été menées jusqu’à présent se sont concentrées sur le rôle des particules virales libres, et celui des cellules infectées demeure mal compris. Une étude menée dans notre laboratoire a montré que des leucocytes infectés par le virus de l’immunodéficience simienne (VIS) sont capables de transmettre l’infection après inoculation vaginale.Le projet de cette thèse est d’étudier le rôle des leucocytes infectés présents dans le sperme de macaque dans la transmission muqueuse du VIS/VIH. Ainsi, trois axes d’étude principaux ont été définis: 1) l’étude des leucocytes présents dans le sperme de macaque cynomolgus, et de l’influence que peut avoir l’infection par le VIS sur eux ; 2) l’identification des cellules immunitaires infectées présentes dans le sperme de macaque, et l’étude de leur dynamique au cours de l’infection par le VIS. ; 3) l’étude du pouvoir infectieux des deux principales cellules cibles pour le VIS/VIH : les lymphocytes CD4+ (LT CD4+) et les macrophages, in vitro et in vivo, après inoculation rectale et vaginale à des macaques cynomolgus.Le sperme de macaque contient toutes les cellules cibles du VIS/VIH : des lymphocytes T CD4+ (LTCD4+), des macrophages et des cellules dendritiques dans une moindre proportion). Les LTCD4+ et les macrophages du sperme présentent un phénotype d’activation, de différenciation et d’expression de marqueurs de migration typique des leucocytes résidant dans les tissus muqueux. L’infection par le VIS induit des changements significatifs dans leur phénotype et leur dynamique. Ces deux types cellulaires peuvent être infectés de façon productive et sont présents dans le sperme à tous les stades de l’infection. Ces données suggèrent que les LTCD4+ et les macrophages du sperme seraient capables de transmettre l’infection par voie muqueuse.Si le rôle des leucocytes infectés du sperme est confirmé in vivo, il sera important à l’avenir de prendre en compte ce mécanisme de transmission dans le développement de nouvelles stratégies préventives de l’infection par le VIH, notamment les microbicides

  • Rôle des leucocytes infectés du sperme dans la transmission muqueuse du VIH (Modèle expérimental de l infection par le SIVmac251 de Macaca fascicularis)
    2013
    Co-Authors: Bernard-stoecklin Sibylle, Le Grand Roger
    Abstract:

    Aujourd hui, plus de 80% des nouvelles infections par le virus de l immunodéficience humaine (VIH) se produisent au cours d un rapport sexuel, avec une transmission du virus par voie muqueuse. Le sperme constitue donc une source majeure de virus à l échelle mondiale. Le sperme d hommes infectés par le VIH contient le virus sous deux formes : des particules virales libres et des cellules infectées, principalement des leucocytes.Plusieurs hypothèses ont été proposées afin d expliquer le passage du virus à travers la barrière muqueuse, qu il s agisse d une muqueuse génitale (cervico-vaginale, pénienne ou urétrale) ou intestinale (muqueuse anale ou rectale). Toutefois, une grande majorité des études qui ont été menées jusqu à présent se sont concentrées sur le rôle des particules virales libres, et celui des cellules infectées demeure mal compris. Une étude menée dans notre laboratoire a montré que des leucocytes infectés par le virus de l immunodéficience simienne (VIS) sont capables de transmettre l infection après inoculation vaginale.Le projet de cette thèse est d étudier le rôle des leucocytes infectés présents dans le sperme de macaque dans la transmission muqueuse du VIS/VIH. Ainsi, trois axes d étude principaux ont été définis: 1) l étude des leucocytes présents dans le sperme de macaque cynomolgus, et de l influence que peut avoir l infection par le VIS sur eux ; 2) l identification des cellules immunitaires infectées présentes dans le sperme de macaque, et l étude de leur dynamique au cours de l infection par le VIS. ; 3) l étude du pouvoir infectieux des deux principales cellules cibles pour le VIS/VIH : les lymphocytes CD4+ (LT CD4+) et les macrophages, in vitro et in vivo, après inoculation rectale et vaginale à des macaques cynomolgus.Le sperme de macaque contient toutes les cellules cibles du VIS/VIH : des lymphocytes T CD4+ (LTCD4+), des macrophages et des cellules dendritiques dans une moindre proportion). Les LTCD4+ et les macrophages du sperme présentent un phénotype d activation, de différenciation et d expression de marqueurs de migration typique des leucocytes résidant dans les tissus muqueux. L infection par le VIS induit des changements significatifs dans leur phénotype et leur dynamique. Ces deux types cellulaires peuvent être infectés de façon productive et sont présents dans le sperme à tous les stades de l infection. Ces données suggèrent que les LTCD4+ et les macrophages du sperme seraient capables de transmettre l infection par voie muqueuse.Si le rôle des leucocytes infectés du sperme est confirmé in vivo, il sera important à l avenir de prendre en compte ce mécanisme de transmission dans le développement de nouvelles stratégies préventives de l infection par le VIH, notamment les microbicides.Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection mostly spreads by the mucosal route: sexual transmission is the dominant mode of transmission, responsible for between 85% and 90% of cases of infection worldwide. These epidemiological data indicate that semen is one of the major sources of HIV-1 transmission. Semen, like other Bodily Secretions involved in HIV sexual transmission, contains the virus as two forms: cell-free viral particles and cell-associated virus, mostly in infected leukocytes. Although cell-to-cell HIV transmission has been extensively described as more efficient, rapid and resistant to host immune responses, very few studies have investigated the role in vivo of infected leukocytes in virus mucosal transmission. One such study has been recently conducted in our lab, and demonstrated that SIV-infected splenocytes are able to transmit infection to female macaques after vaginal exposure. However, all these studies used immune cells from peripheral blood or lymphoid tissues, such as spleen, and none have investigated the capacity of infected leukocytes in semen to transmit the infection in vivo. Indeed, nature, phenotype and infectivity of HIV associated with semen leukocytes may be different from that of HIV from other sources.Therefore, the objectives of this work are, first, to study of semen leukocytes and their dynamics during SIVmac251 infection in detail, then to investigate seminal factors that may influence semen infectiousness, and finally to test semen leukocyte infectivity in vitro and in vivo, using a model of mucosal exposure in cynomolgus macaques.Macaque semen contains all the target cells for HIV/SIV: CD4+ T cells, macrophages and dendritic cells in lower proportions. Semen CD4+ T cells and macrophages display an activation, differenciation and expression of migration markers profile which is typical of mucosal leucocytes. SIV infection induces significant changes in their phenotype and dynamics. Both cell types can be productively infected and are found in the semen at all stages of infection. These observations suggest that semen CD4+ T cells and macrophages may be able to transmit infection after mucosal exposure.If the role of semen infected leukocytes in HIV/SIV mucosal transmission is confirmed in vivo, this mechanism will be important to consider for further preventive strategies design, like microbicides.PARIS11-SCD-Bib. électronique (914719901) / SudocSudocFranceF

Kathleen E Grogan - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • genetic variation at mhc class ii loci influences both olfactory signals and scent discrimination in ring tailed lemurs
    BMC Evolutionary Biology, 2019
    Co-Authors: Kathleen E Grogan, Rachel L Harris, Marylene Boulet, Christine M Drea
    Abstract:

    Diversity at the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) is critical to health and fitness, such that MHC genotype may predict an individual’s quality or compatibility as a competitor, ally, or mate. Moreover, because MHC products can influence the components of Bodily Secretions, an individual’s body odors may signal its MHC composition and influence partner identification or mate choice. Here, we investigated MHC-based signaling and recipient sensitivity by testing for odor-gene covariance and behavioral discrimination of MHC diversity and pairwise dissimilarity in a strepsirrhine primate, the ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta). First, we coupled genotyping of the MHC class II gene, DRB, with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of genital gland Secretions to investigate if functional genetic diversity is signaled by the chemical diversity of lemur scent Secretions. We also assessed if the chemical similarity between individuals correlated with their MHC-DRB similarity. Next, we assessed if lemurs discriminated this chemically encoded, genetic information in opposite-sex conspecifics. We found that both sexes signaled overall MHC-DRB diversity and pairwise MHC-DRB similarity via genital Secretions, but in a sex- and season-dependent manner. Additionally, the sexes discriminated absolute and relative MHC-DRB diversity in the genital odors of opposite-sex conspecifics, suggesting that lemur genital odors function to advertise genetic quality. In summary, genital odors of ring-tailed lemurs provide honest information about an individual’s absolute and relative MHC quality. Complementing evidence in humans and Old World monkeys, we suggest that reliance on scent signals to communicate MHC quality may be important across the primate lineage.

  • Genetic variation at MHC class II loci influences both olfactory signals and scent discrimination in ring-tailed lemurs
    'Springer Science and Business Media LLC', 2019
    Co-Authors: Kathleen E Grogan, Rachel L Harris, Marylene Boulet, Christine M Drea
    Abstract:

    Abstract Background Diversity at the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) is critical to health and fitness, such that MHC genotype may predict an individual’s quality or compatibility as a competitor, ally, or mate. Moreover, because MHC products can influence the components of Bodily Secretions, an individual’s body odors may signal its MHC composition and influence partner identification or mate choice. Here, we investigated MHC-based signaling and recipient sensitivity by testing for odor-gene covariance and behavioral discrimination of MHC diversity and pairwise dissimilarity in a strepsirrhine primate, the ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta). Methods First, we coupled genotyping of the MHC class II gene, DRB, with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of genital gland Secretions to investigate if functional genetic diversity is signaled by the chemical diversity of lemur scent Secretions. We also assessed if the chemical similarity between individuals correlated with their MHC-DRB similarity. Next, we assessed if lemurs discriminated this chemically encoded, genetic information in opposite-sex conspecifics. Results We found that both sexes signaled overall MHC-DRB diversity and pairwise MHC-DRB similarity via genital Secretions, but in a sex- and season-dependent manner. Additionally, the sexes discriminated absolute and relative MHC-DRB diversity in the genital odors of opposite-sex conspecifics, suggesting that lemur genital odors function to advertise genetic quality. Conclusions In summary, genital odors of ring-tailed lemurs provide honest information about an individual’s absolute and relative MHC quality. Complementing evidence in humans and Old World monkeys, we suggest that reliance on scent signals to communicate MHC quality may be important across the primate lineage

  • mhc genetic variation influences both olfactory signals and scent discrimination in ring tailed lemurs
    bioRxiv, 2018
    Co-Authors: Kathleen E Grogan, Rachel L Harris, Marylene Boulet, Christine M Drea
    Abstract:

    Diversity at the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) is critical to health and fitness, such that MHC genotype may predict an individual′s quality or compatibility as a competitor, ally, or mate. Moreover, because MHC products can influence the components of Bodily Secretions, an individual′s body odor may signal its MHC and influence partner identification or mate choice. To investigate MHC-based signaling and recipient sensitivity, we test for odor-gene covariance and behavioral discrimination of MHC diversity and pairwise dissimilarity, under the good genes and good fit paradigms, in a strepsirrhine primate, the ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta). First, we coupled genotyping with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to investigate if diversity of the MHC-DRB gene is signaled by the chemical diversity of lemur genital scent gland Secretions. We also assessed if the chemical similarity between individuals correlated with their MHC similarity. Next, we assessed if lemurs discriminated this chemically encoded, genetic information in opposite-sex conspecifics. We found that both sexes signaled overall MHC diversity and pairwise MHC similarity via genital Secretions, but in a sex- and season-dependent manner. Additionally, both sexes discriminated absolute and relative MHC-DRB diversity in the genital odors of opposite-sex conspecifics, supporting previous findings that lemur genital odors function as advertisement of genetic quality. In this species, genital odors provide honest information about an individual′s absolute and relative MHC quality. Complementing evidence in humans and Old World monkeys, our results suggest that reliance on scent signals to communicate MHC quality may be important across the primate lineage.