Extracts from salivary glands stimulate aggression and inositol-1, 4, 5-triphosphate (IP3) production in the vomeronasal organ of mice.

Mammals use chemical cues to coordinate social and reproductive behaviors. Chemical cues are detected by the VNO organ (VNO), which is a cartilage-encased elongated organ associated with the vomer bone in the rostral nasal cavity. The resident intruder paradigm was utilized to examine the ability of saliva and its feeder exocrine glands, the submaxillary, parotid, and sublingual glands to mediate aggression in mice.

Pregnancy block by MHC class I peptides is mediated via the production of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate in the mouse vomeronasal organ.

The vomeronasal organ (VNO) has evolved to link an animal's behavior to its environment in a highly species-specific fashion. In mice, it is thought to be the primary sensory system responsible for the detection of pheromones. Pheromones regulate a variety of responses including mate recognition in the context of selective pregnancy failure.