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Winzenried ET, Everett AC, Saito ER, Miller RM, Johnson T, Neal E, Boyce Z, Smith C, Jensen C, Kimball S, Brantley A, Melendez G, Moffat D, Davis E, Aponik L, Crofts T, Dabney B, Edwards JG. Effects of a True Prophylactic Treatment on Hippocampal and Amygdala Synaptic Plasticity and Gene Expression in a Rodent Chronic Stress Model of Social Defeat. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11193. [PMID: 37446371 PMCID: PMC10342862 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241311193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a complex stress-related disorder induced by exposure to traumatic stress that is characterized by symptoms of re-experiencing, avoidance, and hyper-arousal. While it is widely accepted that brain regions involved in emotional regulation and memory-e.g., the amygdala and hippocampus-are dysregulated in PTSD, the pathophysiology of the disorder is not well defined and therefore, pharmacological interventions are extremely limited. Because stress hormones norepinephrine and cortisol (corticosterone in rats) are heavily implicated in the disorder, we explored whether preemptively and systemically antagonizing β-adrenergic and glucocorticoid receptors with propranolol and mifepristone are sufficient to mitigate pathological changes in synaptic plasticity, gene expression, and anxiety induced by a modified social defeat (SD) stress protocol. Young adult, male Sprague Dawley rats were initially pre-screened for anxiety. The rats were then exposed to SD and chronic light stress to induce anxiety-like symptoms. Drug-treated rats were administered propranolol and mifepristone injections prior to and continuing throughout SD stress. Using competitive ELISAs on plasma, field electrophysiology at CA1 of the ventral hippocampus (VH) and the basolateral amygdala (BLA), quantitative RT-PCR, and behavior assays, we demonstrate that our SD stress increased anxiety-like behavior, elevated long-term potentiation (LTP) in the VH and BLA, and altered the expression of mineralocorticoid, glucocorticoid, and glutamate receptors. These measures largely reverted to control levels with the administration of propranolol and mifepristone. Our findings indicate that SD stress increases LTP in the VH and BLA and that prophylactic treatment with propranolol and mifepristone may have the potential in mitigating these and other stress-induced effects.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anna C. Everett
- Neuroscience Center, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
| | - Erin R. Saito
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
| | - Roxanne M. Miller
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
| | - Taylor Johnson
- Neuroscience Center, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
| | - Eliza Neal
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
| | - Zachary Boyce
- Neuroscience Center, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
| | - Calvin Smith
- Neuroscience Center, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
| | - Chloe Jensen
- Neuroscience Center, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
| | - Spencer Kimball
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
| | - Adam Brantley
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
| | - Gabriel Melendez
- Neuroscience Center, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
| | - Devin Moffat
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
| | - Erin Davis
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
| | - Lyndsey Aponik
- Neuroscience Center, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
| | - Tyler Crofts
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
| | - Bryson Dabney
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
| | - Jeffrey G. Edwards
- Neuroscience Center, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
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SASAKI R, OKUMA I, ASARI Y. Response of wild rodents to red fox feces: implication for the echinococcus infection. J Vet Med Sci 2023; 85:565-570. [PMID: 36990791 PMCID: PMC10209468 DOI: 10.1292/jvms.22-0395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Echinococcus multilocularis causes zoonotic disease, alveolar echinococcosis. The life cycle of E. multilocularis is maintained by the predator-prey relationship between red foxes and rodents. Infection to red fox (Vulpes vulpes) of E. multilocularis is considered that rodents take eggs of E. multilocularis, then red fox forage the rodents. However, it has been not known how to take eggs by rodents. On infection process of E. multilocularis from red foxes to rodents, we predicted that rodents would forage or touch with feces of red fox to use undigested materials within the feces. We monitored rodent's response to fox feces and their distance to the feces by using camera trap from May to October 2020. Myodes spp. and Apodemus spp. touched fox feces, and touch rate of Apodemus spp. was significantly higher than that of Myodes spp. We found smelling and passing as contact behaviors to fox feces by Myodes spp., while Apodemus spp. showed behaviors which oral directly contacted feces. There was no significant difference on the shortest distance between Apodemus spp. and Myodes spp. The distance between 0 cm and 5 cm was mostly observed for both rodents. The results that Myodes spp. did not forage feces and their contact to feces was low frequency suggested that the infection from red foxes to Myodes spp., the main intermediate host, was to be other pathways. The approach to feces and the act near feces might increase the probability attached with eggs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rina SASAKI
- Laboratory of Wildlife Ecology, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Isao OKUMA
- Green and Flower Center, Zoukei Inc., Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Yushin ASARI
- Laboratory of Wildlife Ecology, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido, Japan
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Pentkowski NS, Maestas-Olguin C, Martinez G. Characterizing the effects of 2-phenylethylamine and coyote urine on unconditioned and conditioned defensive behaviors in adolescent male and female Long-Evans hooded rats. Physiol Behav 2022; 248:113726. [PMID: 35122825 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2022.113726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Predator odors provide critical information to prey species allowing them to gauge potential threat via the detection of semiochemicals called kairomones. Recent reports indicate that the commercially available predator odor coyote urine (CU), and to a lesser extent 2-phenylethylamine (PEA), induce innate defensive behaviors in adult rats and mice. The aim of the present study was to see if the defense-inducing effects of CU and PEA would extend to adolescents. Specifically, we evaluated the ability of CU and PEA to induce unconditioned and conditioned defensive behavior in predator-odor naïve adolescent male and female Long-Evans hooded rats. An additional group of males were exposed to the non-predatory aversive odor formalin to control for potential general aversive properties of the odorants. The data revealed that in males, both CU and PEA, but not formalin induced measures of risk assessment, whereas CU and formalin produced avoidance of the odor source. In partial contrast, both CU and PEA produced avoidance of the odor source and increased measures of risk assessment in females. Surprisingly males failed to show any measures of defense during the cue+context conditioning test trial. In contrast, in females both odorants produced marginal effects during re-exposure to the conditioning context, with CU inducing conditioned avoidance and PEA inducing conditioned risk assessment. We conclude that commercially available CU and PEA elicit a moderate defensive profile compared to previous reports examining cat fur/skin odor in male and female adolescent rats. Future research needs to examine additional concentrations of the odorants to determine if a more robust unconditioned defensive profile (e.g., freezing) can be induced by these predator odors, and whether the defensive profile responds to standard anxiolytic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan S Pentkowski
- Department of Psychology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA.
| | | | - Gabriela Martinez
- Department of Psychology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
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4
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Coyote urine, but not 2-phenylethylamine, induces a complete profile of unconditioned anti-predator defensive behaviors. Physiol Behav 2021; 229:113210. [PMID: 33068564 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2020.113210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2020] [Revised: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Predator odors from various sources (e.g. fur/skin, urine, feces) provide prey animals valuable information that allows them to gage potential environmental threat via the detection of semiochemicals called kairomones. However, studies in rodents have revealed inconsistent and often conflicting results, which may occur from any combination of factors, including source and freshness of the odorant, sex, and genetic strain of the prey animal and/or predator. Regardless of cause, few odorants tested, if any, have lived up to the potent unconditioned predator odor stimuli - cat fur/skin odor - that induces a complete profile of innate unconditioned defensive behaviors (e.g., avoidance, risk assessment and freezing) and produces rapid aversive conditioned responses, both of which are sensitive to standard anxiolytic/anxiogenic drugs. Therefore, the present study investigated the effectiveness of coyote urine and 2-phenylethylamine (PEA), two commercially available predator odor cues, in satisfying the first of these criteria in predator odor naïve, adult male Long-Evans hooded rats. The data revealed that coyote urine, but not PEA, was effective in inducing a complete profile of anti-predator defensive behaviors characterized by avoidance, risk assessment, freezing and a reduction in exploratory behavior. We conclude that commercially available coyote urine satisfies the first criterion of a defense inducing unconditioned predator odor stimulus. In order to fully validate the use of coyote urine as an anxiety- and/or fear-like threat stimulus, future research needs to examine whether it produces aversive conditioning and whether the defensive profile induced by the odorant responds to standard anxiolytic drugs.
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Guo H, Hegab IM, Tan Y, Yao B, Wang C, Cai Z, Ji W, Su J. Exposure to eagle owl feces induces anti-predator behavior, physiology, and hypothalamic gene responses in a subterranean rodent, the plateau zokor (Eospalax baileyi). Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-020-02934-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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de Paula BB, de Melo JR, Leite-Panissi CRA. Modulation of tonic immobility by GABAA and GABAB receptors of the medial amygdala. Neurosci Lett 2019; 699:189-194. [PMID: 30753913 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2019.01.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2018] [Revised: 01/27/2019] [Accepted: 01/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Tonic immobility (TI) is a temporary state of profound motor inhibition associated with great danger as the attack of a predator. Previous studies carried out in our laboratory evidenced high Fos-IR in the posteroventral region of the medial nucleus of the amygdala (MEA) after induction of the TI response. Here, we investigated the effects of GABAA and GABAB of the MEA on TI duration. Intra-MEA injections of the GABAA agonist muscimol and GABAB agonist baclofen reduced TI response, while intra-MEA injections of the GABAA antagonist bicuculline and GABAB antagonist phaclofen increased the TI response. Moreover, the effects observed with muscimol and baclofen administrations into MEA were blocked by pretreatment with bicuculline and phaclofen (at ineffective doses per se). Finally, the activation of GABAA and GABAB receptors in the MEA did not alter the spontaneous motor activity in the open field test. These data support the role of the GABAergic system of the MEA in the modulation of innate fear.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruna B de Paula
- Department of Psychology, School of Philosophy, Science and Literature of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, 14040-901, SP, Brazil
| | - Jeanne R de Melo
- Department of Psychology, School of Philosophy, Science and Literature of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, 14040-901, SP, Brazil
| | - Christie R A Leite-Panissi
- Department of Psychology, School of Philosophy, Science and Literature of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, 14040-901, SP, Brazil.
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Storsberg S, Stryjek R, Modlińska K, Gottswinter K, D'Hanis W, Kröber A, Wernecke KE, Roskoden T, Fendt M. Predator odor induced defensive behavior in wild and laboratory rats: A comparative study. Physiol Behav 2018; 194:341-347. [DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2018.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2018] [Revised: 06/01/2018] [Accepted: 06/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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8
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Fendt M, Brosch M, Wernecke KEA, Willadsen M, Wöhr M. Predator odour but not TMT induces 22-kHz ultrasonic vocalizations in rats that lead to defensive behaviours in conspecifics upon replay. Sci Rep 2018; 8:11041. [PMID: 30038341 PMCID: PMC6056510 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-28927-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2018] [Accepted: 07/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Predator odours induce defensive behaviour in prey animals such as rats. The present study investigated (1) whether laboratory rats exposed to predator odours emit 22-kHz calls which may have an alarming function and (2) whether playback of such calls induces behavioural changes in conspecifics. For this, Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to samples of fox and lion urine, as well as to the synthetic predator odour TMT. Despite that all odours induced defensive behaviour, only predator urine samples but not TMT were able to induce 22-kHz calls in a few rats. In a second experiment, naive rats were exposed to playback presentations of the 22-kHz calls recorded in the first experiment, as well as to phase-scrambled and frequency-shifted control stimuli. Low intensity playback presentations led to a reduction of locomotor activity during the presentation of the 22-kHz calls but not of the control stimuli. This effect was less specific under high intensity conditions. Taken together the present findings show that natural predator odours are able to induce emission of 22-kHz calls in rats and support the hypothesis that these calls have an alarming function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Fendt
- Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany. .,Center of Behavioral Brain Sciences (CBBS), Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany.
| | - Marcel Brosch
- Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany.,Integrative Neuroscience Program, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Kerstin E A Wernecke
- Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany.,Center of Behavioral Brain Sciences (CBBS), Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Maria Willadsen
- Behavioral Neuroscience, Experimental and Biological Psychology, Phillips-University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany.,Center for Mind, Brain, and Behavior (CMBB), Phillips-University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Markus Wöhr
- Behavioral Neuroscience, Experimental and Biological Psychology, Phillips-University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany. .,Center for Mind, Brain, and Behavior (CMBB), Phillips-University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany.
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Jhang J, Lee H, Kang MS, Lee HS, Park H, Han JH. Anterior cingulate cortex and its input to the basolateral amygdala control innate fear response. Nat Commun 2018; 9:2744. [PMID: 30013065 PMCID: PMC6048069 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-05090-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2017] [Accepted: 06/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Prefrontal brain areas are implicated in the control of fear behavior. However, how prefrontal circuits control fear response to innate threat is poorly understood. Here, we show that the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and its input to the basolateral nucleus of amygdala (BLA) contribute to innate fear response to a predator odor in mice. Optogenetic inactivation of the ACC enhances freezing response to fox urine without affecting conditioned freezing. Conversely, ACC stimulation robustly inhibits both innate and conditioned freezing. Circuit tracing and slice patch recordings demonstrate a monosynaptic glutamatergic connectivity of ACC-BLA but no or very sparse ACC input to the central amygdala. Finally, our optogenetic manipulations of the ACC-BLA projection suggest its inhibitory control of innate freezing response to predator odors. Together, our results reveal the role of the ACC and its projection to BLA in innate fear response to olfactory threat stimulus. Brain circuits that control innate fear response are essential for an animal’s survival. Here, the authors report how the anterior cingulate cortex and its projection to amygdala control the innate fear response in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinho Jhang
- Department of Biological Sciences, KAIST Institute for the BioCentury (KIB), Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34141, Korea
| | - Hyoeun Lee
- Department of Structure & Function of Neural Network, Korea Brain Research Institute (KBRI), 61 Cheomdan-ro, Dong-gu, Daegu, 41068, Korea
| | - Min Soo Kang
- Department of Biological Sciences, KAIST Institute for the BioCentury (KIB), Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34141, Korea
| | - Han-Sol Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, KAIST Institute for the BioCentury (KIB), Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34141, Korea
| | - Hyungju Park
- Department of Structure & Function of Neural Network, Korea Brain Research Institute (KBRI), 61 Cheomdan-ro, Dong-gu, Daegu, 41068, Korea.
| | - Jin-Hee Han
- Department of Biological Sciences, KAIST Institute for the BioCentury (KIB), Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34141, Korea.
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10
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The Effect of Gentle Handling on Depressive-Like Behavior in Adult Male Mice: Considerations for Human and Rodent Interactions in the Laboratory. Behav Neurol 2018; 2018:2976014. [PMID: 29692869 PMCID: PMC5859797 DOI: 10.1155/2018/2976014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2017] [Revised: 12/08/2017] [Accepted: 12/19/2017] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Environmental factors play a significant role in well-being of laboratory animals. Regulations and guidelines recommend, if not require, that stressors such as bright lighting, smells, and noises are eliminated or reduced to maximize animal well-being. A factor that is often overlooked is handling and how researchers interact with their animals. Researchers, lab assistants, and husbandry staff in animal facilities may use inconsistent handling methods when interacting with rodents, but humans should be considered a part of the animal's social environment. This study examined the effects of different handling techniques on depressive-like behavior, measured by the Porsolt forced swim test, in adult C57BL/6J male mice. The same two researchers handled the mice in a gentle, aggressive, or minimal (control) fashion over approximately two weeks prior to testing. The results demonstrated a beneficial effect of gentle handling: gentle handling reduced swimming immobility in the forced swim test compared to mice that were aggressively or minimally handled. We argue that gentle handling, rather than methodical handling, can foster a better relationship between the handlers and rodents. Although handling is not standardized across labs, consistent gentle handling allows for less challenging behavioral testing, better data collection, and overall improved animal welfare.
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Yin B, Gu C, Lu Y, Hegab IM, Yang S, Wang A, Wei W. Repeated exposure to cat urine induces complex behavioral, hormonal, and c-fos mRNA responses in Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus). Naturwissenschaften 2017; 104:64. [PMID: 28689350 DOI: 10.1007/s00114-017-1484-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2017] [Revised: 06/23/2017] [Accepted: 06/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Prey species show specific adaptations that allow recognition, avoidance, and defense against predators. This study was undertaken to investigate the processing of a chronic, life-threatening stimulus to Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus). One hundred forty-four Norway rats were tested by repeated presentation of cat urine for 1 h at different days in a defensive withdrawal apparatus. Rats exposed to urine for short periods showed significantly larger defensive behavioral and medial hypothalamic c-fos messenger RNA (mRNA) responses than other groups. These defensive responses habituated shortly after the presentation of cat urine. Serum levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone and corticosterone increased significantly when animals were repeatedly exposed to cat urine. However, the hormonal responses took longer to habituate than the behavioral and molecular responses did. We conclude that the behavioral and c-fos mRNA responses are "primed" for habituation to repeated exposures to cat urine, while the hormonal responses show "resistance." The results support our hypothesis that the strongest anti-predator responses at three levels would occur during short-term exposure to cat urine and that these responses would subsequently disappear on prolonged exposure. This study assists understanding the way in which the different levels of defensive responses are integrated and react during chronic stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baofa Yin
- Department of Animal Behavior, College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, China
| | - Chen Gu
- Department of Animal Behavior, College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, China
| | - Yi Lu
- Department of Animal Behavior, College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, China
| | - Ibrahim M Hegab
- Department of Animal Behavior, College of Veterinary Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, 41522, Egypt
| | - Shengmei Yang
- Department of Animal Behavior, College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, China
| | - Aiqin Wang
- Department of Animal Behavior, College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, China
| | - Wanhong Wei
- Department of Animal Behavior, College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, China.
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, China.
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12
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Vincenz D, Wernecke KEA, Fendt M, Goldschmidt J. Habenula and interpeduncular nucleus differentially modulate predator odor-induced innate fear behavior in rats. Behav Brain Res 2017; 332:164-171. [PMID: 28552601 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2017.05.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2017] [Revised: 05/09/2017] [Accepted: 05/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Fear is an important behavioral system helping humans and animals to survive potentially dangerous situations. Fear can be innate or learned. Whereas the neural circuits underlying learned fear are already well investigated, the knowledge about the circuits mediating innate fear is still limited. We here used a novel, unbiased approach to image in vivo the spatial patterns of neural activity in odor-induced innate fear behavior in rats. We intravenously injected awake unrestrained rats with a 99m-technetium labeled blood flow tracer (99mTc-HMPAO) during ongoing exposure to fox urine or water as control, and mapped the brain distribution of the trapped tracer using single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). Upon fox urine exposure blood flow increased in a number of brain regions previously associated with odor-induced innate fear such as the amygdala, ventromedial hypothalamus and dorsolateral periaqueductal grey, but, unexpectedly, decreased at higher significance levels in the interpeduncular nucleus (IPN). Significant flow changes were found in regions monosynaptically connected to the IPN. Flow decreased in the dorsal tegmentum and entorhinal cortex. Flow increased in the habenula (Hb) and correlated with odor effects on behavioral defensive strategy. Hb lesions reduced avoidance of but increased approach to the fox urine while IPN lesions only reduced avoidance behavior without approach behavior. Our study identifies a new component, the IPN, of the neural circuit mediating odor-induced innate fear behavior in mammals and suggests that the evolutionarily conserved Hb-IPN system, which has recently been implicated in cued fear, also forms an integral part of the innate fear circuitry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Vincenz
- Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Department Systems Physiology of Learning, 39118 Magdeburg, Germany; Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, Magdeburg, Germany.
| | - Kerstin E A Wernecke
- Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Otto-von-Guericke University, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany; Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, Magdeburg, Germany.
| | - Markus Fendt
- Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Otto-von-Guericke University, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany; Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, Magdeburg, Germany.
| | - Jürgen Goldschmidt
- Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Department Systems Physiology of Learning, 39118 Magdeburg, Germany; Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, Magdeburg, Germany.
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Vaz RP, Cardoso A, Sá SI, Pereira PA, Madeira MD. The integrity of the nucleus of the lateral olfactory tract is essential for the normal functioning of the olfactory system. Brain Struct Funct 2017; 222:3615-3637. [PMID: 28424894 PMCID: PMC5676812 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-017-1422-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2016] [Accepted: 03/22/2017] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The nucleus of the lateral olfactory tract (nLOT) is a relatively small component of the cortical pallial amygdala, with peculiar neurogenic, neurochemical and connectivity patterns. Although it has been suggested that it might be involved in non-pheromonal olfactory-guided behaviors, particularly feeding, the functional implications of the nLOT have never been investigated. In view of this fact, we have tackled this subject by performing a series of behavioral tests and by quantifying biological and biochemical parameters in sexually naïve adult male rats that were submitted to bilateral excitotoxic lesions of the nLOT. nLOT-lesioned rats had severe olfactory deficits with inability to detect and discriminate between odors. Additionally, they did not display innate behavioral responses to biologically relevant chemosignals. Specifically, nLOT-lesioned rats did not show avoidance towards predator odors or aggressive behaviors towards intruders, and had severely impaired sexual behavior. In fact, nLOT lesions abolished preference for odors of receptive females, reduced chemoinvestigatory behavior and eliminated mounting behavior. nLOT-lesioned rats had normal circulating levels of testosterone, did not display anxiety- or depressive-like behaviors, and had unimpaired cognitive functions and fear acquisition and memory. Altogether, our results suggest that the nLOT integrity is required for the normal functioning of the olfactory system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo P Vaz
- Unit of Anatomy, Department of Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Alameda Professor Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319, Porto, Portugal.
- Otorhinolaryngology Department, Centro Hospitalar S. João, EPE, Alameda Professor Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319, Porto, Portugal.
- Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS), Rua Dr. Plácido da Costa, 4200-450, Porto, Portugal.
| | - Armando Cardoso
- Unit of Anatomy, Department of Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Alameda Professor Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319, Porto, Portugal
- Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS), Rua Dr. Plácido da Costa, 4200-450, Porto, Portugal
| | - Susana I Sá
- Unit of Anatomy, Department of Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Alameda Professor Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319, Porto, Portugal
- Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS), Rua Dr. Plácido da Costa, 4200-450, Porto, Portugal
| | - Pedro A Pereira
- Unit of Anatomy, Department of Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Alameda Professor Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319, Porto, Portugal
- Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS), Rua Dr. Plácido da Costa, 4200-450, Porto, Portugal
| | - M Dulce Madeira
- Unit of Anatomy, Department of Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Alameda Professor Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319, Porto, Portugal
- Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS), Rua Dr. Plácido da Costa, 4200-450, Porto, Portugal
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14
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Souza RR, Carobrez AP. Acquisition and expression of fear memories are distinctly modulated along the dorsolateral periaqueductal gray axis of rats exposed to predator odor. Behav Brain Res 2016; 315:160-7. [PMID: 27522018 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2016.08.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2016] [Revised: 08/04/2016] [Accepted: 08/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The dorsolateral region of the midbrain periaqueductal gray (dlPAG) modulates both innate and conditioned fear responses. However, the contribution of the rostrocaudal portions of the dlPAG to defense reactions and aversive memories remains unclear. Here, we sought to investigate the effects of N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor blockade within rostral or caudal dlPAG of rats exposed to innate and learned fear to cat odor. For this, adult male Wistar rats were microinjected with the NMDA antagonist D-2-amino-5-phosphono-pentanoate (AP5; 3 or 6nmol/0.2μl) into the rostral or caudal dlPAG before and after the exposure to the cat odor or to the context paired with the predator odor. The results demonstrated that cat odor exposure induced unconditioned defensive behaviors as well as contextual fear. AP5 microinjected in the rostral dlPAG reduced the defensive responses to cat odor and impaired the acquisition, but not consolidation of contextual fear. On the other hand, AP5 infused within the caudal dlPAG promoted long-lasting reduction of contextual fear expression. Altogether, our data suggest that NMDA receptors mediate a functional dichotomy in the rostrocaudal axis of dlPAG regulating unconditioned and conditioned defensive reactions to predatory cues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rimenez R Souza
- Departamento de Farmacologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Antonio P Carobrez
- Departamento de Farmacologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil.
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15
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Harris BN, Carr JA. The role of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal/interrenal axis in mediating predator-avoidance trade-offs. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2016; 230-231:110-42. [PMID: 27080550 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2016.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2015] [Revised: 04/07/2016] [Accepted: 04/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Maintaining energy balance and reproducing are important for fitness, yet animals have evolved mechanisms by which the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal/interrenal (HPA/HPI) axis can shut these activities off. While HPA/HPI axis inhibition of feeding and reproduction may have evolved as a predator defense, to date there has been no review across taxa of the causal evidence for such a relationship. Here we review the literature on this topic by addressing evidence for three predictions: that exposure to predators decreases reproduction and feeding, that exposure to predators activates the HPA/HPI axis, and that predator-induced activation of the HPA/HPI axis inhibits foraging and reproduction. Weight of evidence indicates that exposure to predator cues inhibits several aspects of foraging and reproduction. While the evidence from fish and mammals supports the hypothesis that predator cues activate the HPA/HPI axis, the existing data in other vertebrate taxa are equivocal. A causal role for the HPA axis in predator-induced suppression of feeding and reproduction has not been demonstrated to date, although many studies report correlative relationships between HPA activity and reproduction and/or feeding. Manipulation of HPA/HPI axis signaling will be required in future studies to demonstrate direct mediation of predator-induced inhibition of feeding and reproduction. Understanding the circuitry linking sensory pathways to their control of the HPA/HPI axis also is needed. Finally, the role that fear and anxiety pathways play in the response of the HPA axis to predator cues is needed to better understand the role that predators have played in shaping anxiety related behaviors in all species, including humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Breanna N Harris
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, United States
| | - James A Carr
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, United States.
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16
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Wernecke KE, Brüggemann J, Fendt M. Predator odor exposure increases food-carrying behavior in rats. Physiol Behav 2016; 154:15-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2015.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2015] [Revised: 11/05/2015] [Accepted: 11/06/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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17
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Osada K, Miyazono S, Kashiwayanagi M. The scent of wolves: pyrazine analogs induce avoidance and vigilance behaviors in prey. Front Neurosci 2015; 9:363. [PMID: 26500485 PMCID: PMC4595651 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2015.00363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2015] [Accepted: 09/22/2015] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The common gray wolf (Canis lupus) is an apex predator located at the top of the food chain in the Northern Hemisphere. It preys on rodents, rabbits, ungulates, and many other kinds of mammal. However, the behavioral evidence for, and the chemical basis of, the fear-inducing impact of wolf urine on prey are unclear. Recently, the pyrazine analogs 2, 6-dimethylpyrazine, 2, 3, 5-trimethylpyrazine and 3-ethyl-2, 5-dimethyl pyrazine were identified as kairomones in the urine of wolves. When mice were confronted with a mixture of purified pyrazine analogs, vigilance behaviors, including freezing and excitation of neurons at the accessory olfactory bulb, were markedly increased. Additionally, the odor of the pyrazine cocktail effectively suppressed the approach of deer to a feeding area, and for those close to the feeding area elicited fear-related behaviors such as the "tail-flag," "flight," and "jump" actions. In this review, we discuss the transfer of chemical information from wolf to prey through the novel kairomones identified in wolf urine and also compare the characteristics of wolf kairomones with other predator-produced kairomones that affect rodents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazumi Osada
- Division of Physiology, Department of Oral Biology, School of Dentistry, Health Sciences University of Hokkaido Ishikari-Tobetsu, Japan
| | - Sadaharu Miyazono
- Department of Sensory Physiology, Asahikawa Medical University Asahikawa, Japan
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18
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Fortes-Marco L, Lanuza E, Martínez-García F, Agustín-Pavón C. Avoidance and contextual learning induced by a kairomone, a pheromone and a common odorant in female CD1 mice. Front Neurosci 2015; 9:336. [PMID: 26500474 PMCID: PMC4594011 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2015.00336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2015] [Accepted: 09/07/2015] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Chemosignals mediate both intra- and inter-specific communication in most mammals. Pheromones elicit stereotyped reactions in conspecifics, whereas kairomones provoke a reaction in an allospecific animal. For instance, predator kairomones elicit anticipated defensive responses in preys. The aim of this work was to test the behavioral responses of female mice to two chemosignals: 2-heptanone (2-HP), a putative alarm pheromone, and 2,4,5-trimethylthiazoline (TMT), a fox-derived putative kairomone, widely used to investigate fear and anxiety in rodents. The banana-like odorant isoamyl acetate (IA), unlikely to act as a chemosignal, served as a control odorant. We first presented increasing amounts of these odorants in consecutive days, in a test box in which mice could explore or avoid them. Female mice avoided the highest amounts of all three compounds, with TMT and IA eliciting avoidance at lower amounts (3.8 pmol and 0.35 μmol, respectively) than 2-HP (35 μmol). All three compounds induced minimal effects in global locomotion and immobility in this set up. Further, mice detected 3.5 pmol of TMT and IA in a habituation–dishabituation test, so avoidance of IA started well beyond the detection threshold. Finally, both TMT and IA, but not 2-HP, induced conditioned place avoidance and increased immobility in the neutral compartment during a contextual memory test. These data suggest that intense odors can induce contextual learning irrespective of their putative biological significance. Our results support that synthetic predator-related compounds (like TMT) or other intense odorants are useful to investigate the neurobiological basis of emotional behaviors in rodents. Since intense odorants unlikely to act as chemosignals can elicit similar behavioral reactions than chemosignals, we stress the importance of using behavioral measures in combination with other physiological (e.g., hormonal levels) or neural measures (e.g., immediate early gene expression) to establish the ethological significance of odorants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lluís Fortes-Marco
- Unitat Pre-departamental de Medicina, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universitat Jaume I Castelló de la Plana, Spain ; Departament de Biologia Cel·lular, Facultat de Ciències Biològiques, Universitat de València València, Spain
| | - Enrique Lanuza
- Departament de Biologia Cel·lular, Facultat de Ciències Biològiques, Universitat de València València, Spain
| | - Fernando Martínez-García
- Unitat Pre-departamental de Medicina, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universitat Jaume I Castelló de la Plana, Spain
| | - Carmen Agustín-Pavón
- Unitat Pre-departamental de Medicina, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universitat Jaume I Castelló de la Plana, Spain
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19
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Breitfeld T, Bruning JEA, Inagaki H, Takeuchi Y, Kiyokawa Y, Fendt M. Temporary inactivation of the anterior part of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis blocks alarm pheromone-induced defensive behavior in rats. Front Neurosci 2015; 9:321. [PMID: 26441496 PMCID: PMC4563084 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2015.00321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2015] [Accepted: 08/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Rats emit an alarm pheromone in threatening situations. Exposure of rats to this alarm pheromone induces defensive behaviors, such as head out behavior, and increases c-Fos expression in brain areas involved in the mediation of defensive behaviors. One of these brain areas is the anterior bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (aBNST). The goal of the present study was to investigate if pharmacological inactivation of the aBNST by local microinjections of the GABAA receptor-agonist muscimol modulates alarm pheromone-induced defensive behaviors. We first established the behavioral paradigm of alarm pheromone-induced defensive behaviors in Sprague-Dawley rats in our laboratory. In a second experiment, we inactivated the aBNST, then exposed rats to one of four different odors (neck odor, female urine, alarm pheromone, fox urine) and tested the effects of the aBNST inactivation on the behavior in response to these odors. Our data show that temporary inactivation of the aBNST blocked head out behavior in response to the alarm pheromone. This indicates that the aBNST plays an important role in the mediation of the alarm pheromone-induced defensive behavior in rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tino Breitfeld
- Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Johann E A Bruning
- Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Hideaki Inagaki
- Laboratory of Veterinary Ethology, The University of Tokyo Tokyo, Japan ; Center for Animal Research and Education, Nagoya University Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yukari Takeuchi
- Laboratory of Veterinary Ethology, The University of Tokyo Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yasushi Kiyokawa
- Laboratory of Veterinary Ethology, The University of Tokyo Tokyo, Japan
| | - Markus Fendt
- Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg Magdeburg, Germany ; Center of Behavioral Brain Sciences, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg Magdeburg, Germany
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20
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Wernecke KEA, Fendt M. The olfactory hole-board test in rats: a new paradigm to study aversion and preferences to odors. Front Behav Neurosci 2015; 9:223. [PMID: 26379516 PMCID: PMC4548150 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2015.00223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2015] [Accepted: 08/07/2015] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Odors of biological relevance (e.g., predator odors, sex odors) are known to effectively influence basic survival needs of rodents such as anti-predatory defensiveness and mating behaviors. Research focused on the effects of these odors on rats’ behavior mostly includes multi-trial paradigms where animals experience single odor exposures in subsequent, separated experimental sessions. In the present study, we introduce a modification of the olfactory hole-board test that allows studying the effects of different odors on rats’ behavior within single trials. First, we demonstrated that the corner holes of the hole-board were preferentially visited by rats. The placement of different odors under the corner holes changed this hole preference. We showed that holes with carnivore urine samples were avoided, while corner holes with female rat urine samples were preferred. Furthermore, corner holes with urine samples from a carnivore, herbivore, and omnivore were differentially visited indicating that rats can discriminate these odors. To test whether anxiolytic treatment specifically modulates the avoidance of carnivore urine holes, we treated rats with buspirone. Buspirone treatment completely abolished the avoidance of carnivore urine holes. Taken together, our findings indicate that the olfactory hole-board test is a valuable tool for measuring avoidance and preference responses to biologically relevant odors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerstin E A Wernecke
- Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg Magdeburg, Germany ; Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Markus Fendt
- Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg Magdeburg, Germany ; Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences Magdeburg, Germany
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