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Rogers JF, Vandendoren M, Prather JF, Landen JG, Bedford NL, Nelson AC. Neural cell-types and circuits linking thermoregulation and social behavior. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2024; 161:105667. [PMID: 38599356 PMCID: PMC11163828 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105667] [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: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Understanding how social and affective behavioral states are controlled by neural circuits is a fundamental challenge in neurobiology. Despite increasing understanding of central circuits governing prosocial and agonistic interactions, how bodily autonomic processes regulate these behaviors is less resolved. Thermoregulation is vital for maintaining homeostasis, but also associated with cognitive, physical, affective, and behavioral states. Here, we posit that adjusting body temperature may be integral to the appropriate expression of social behavior and argue that understanding neural links between behavior and thermoregulation is timely. First, changes in behavioral states-including social interaction-often accompany changes in body temperature. Second, recent work has uncovered neural populations controlling both thermoregulatory and social behavioral pathways. We identify additional neural populations that, in separate studies, control social behavior and thermoregulation, and highlight their relevance to human and animal studies. Third, dysregulation of body temperature is linked to human neuropsychiatric disorders. Although body temperature is a "hidden state" in many neurobiological studies, it likely plays an underappreciated role in regulating social and affective states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph F Rogers
- Department of Zoology & Physiology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA; University of Wyoming Sensory Biology Center, USA
| | - Morgane Vandendoren
- Department of Zoology & Physiology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA; University of Wyoming Sensory Biology Center, USA
| | - Jonathan F Prather
- Department of Zoology & Physiology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA
| | - Jason G Landen
- Department of Zoology & Physiology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA; University of Wyoming Sensory Biology Center, USA
| | - Nicole L Bedford
- Department of Zoology & Physiology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA
| | - Adam C Nelson
- Department of Zoology & Physiology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA; University of Wyoming Sensory Biology Center, USA.
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2
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Bravo JC, Ugartemendia L, Barman A, Rodríguez AB, Pariente JA, Bravo R. Bibliometric analysis on cannibalism/infanticide and maternal aggression towards pups in laboratory rodents. Lab Anim 2024; 58:240-251. [PMID: 38353042 DOI: 10.1177/00236772231192030] [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] [Indexed: 06/25/2024]
Abstract
Animal welfare has evolved during the past decades to improve not only the quality of life of laboratory rodents but also the quality and reproducibility of scientific investigations. Bibliometric analysis has become an important tool to complete the current knowledge with academic databases. Our objective was to investigate whether scientific research on cannibalism/infanticide is connected with maternal aggression towards the offspring in laboratory rodents. To carry out our research, we performed a specific search for published articles on each concept. Results were analyzed in the open-source environment RStudio with the package Bibliometrix. We obtained 253 and 134 articles for the first search (cannibalism/infanticide) and the second search (maternal aggression towards the pups) respectively. We observed that the interest in infanticide/cannibalism started in the 1950s, while researchers started showing interest in maternal aggression towards the pups 30 years later. Our analyses indicated that maternal aggression had better citations in scientific literature. In addition, although our results showed some common features (e.g. oxytocin or medial preoptic area in the brain), we observed a gap between cannibalism/infanticide and maternal aggression towards the pups with only 14 published articles in common for both the searches. Therefore, we recommend researchers to combine both concepts in further investigations in the context of cannibalism for better dissemination and higher impact in laboratory rodents' welfare research.
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Affiliation(s)
- José C Bravo
- Animal facility of University of Extremadura, University of Extremadura, Spain
- Neuroimmunophysiology and Chrononutrition Research Group, Faculty of Science, University of Extremadura, Spain
| | - Lierni Ugartemendia
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Science Center, USA
| | - Arko Barman
- D2K Lab & Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Rice University, USA
| | - Ana B Rodríguez
- Neuroimmunophysiology and Chrononutrition Research Group, Faculty of Science, University of Extremadura, Spain
| | - José A Pariente
- Neuroimmunophysiology and Chrononutrition Research Group, Faculty of Science, University of Extremadura, Spain
| | - Rafael Bravo
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Science Center, USA
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3
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Bouguiyoud N, Xie WB, Bronchti G, Frasnelli J, Al Aïn S. Enhanced maternal behaviors in a mouse model of congenital blindness. Dev Psychobiol 2023; 65:e22406. [PMID: 37607896 DOI: 10.1002/dev.22406] [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: 07/18/2022] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
In mammals, mothering is one of the most important prosocial female behavior to promote survival, proper sensorimotor, and emotional development of the offspring. Different intrinsic and extrinsic factors can initiate and maintain these behaviors, such as hormonal, cerebral, and sensory changes. Infant cues also stimulate multisensory systems and orchestrate complex maternal responsiveness. To understand the maternal behavior driven by complex sensory interactions, it is necessary to comprehend the individual sensory systems by taking out other senses. An excellent model for investigating sensory regulation of maternal behavior is a murine model of congenital blindness, the ZRDBA mice, where both an anophthalmic and sighted mice are generated from the same litter. Therefore, this study aims to assess whether visual inputs are essential to driving maternal behaviors in mice. Maternal behaviors were assessed using three behavioral tests, including the pup retrieval test, the home cage maternal behavior test, and the maternal aggression test. Our results show that blind mothers (1) took less time to retrieve their offspring inside the nest, (2) spent more time nursing and licking their offspring in the second- and third-week postpartum, and (3) exhibited faster aggressive behaviors when exposed to an intruder male, compared to the sighted counterparts. This study provides evidence that congenitally blind mothers show more motivation to retrieve the pups, care, and protection towards their pups than sighted ones, likely due to a phenomenon of sensory compensation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nouhaila Bouguiyoud
- Department of Anatomy, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Canada
- CogNAC Research Group, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Canada
| | - Wen Bin Xie
- Department of Anatomy, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Canada
| | - Gilles Bronchti
- Department of Anatomy, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Canada
| | - Johannes Frasnelli
- Department of Anatomy, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Canada
- CogNAC Research Group, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Canada
| | - Syrina Al Aïn
- Department of Anatomy, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Canada
- CogNAC Research Group, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Canada
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4
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Xie W, Chen M, Shen Y, Liu Y, Zhang H, Weng Q. Vomeronasal Receptors Associated with Circulating Estrogen Processing Chemosensory Cues in Semi-Aquatic Mammals. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10724. [PMID: 37445898 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241310724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
In numerous animals, one essential chemosensory organ that detects chemical signals is the vomeronasal organ (VNO), which is involved in species-specific behaviors, including social and sexual behaviors. The purpose of this study is to investigate the mechanism underlying the processing of chemosensory cues in semi-aquatic mammals using muskrats as the animal model. Muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) has a sensitive VNO system that activates seasonal breeding behaviors through receiving specific substances, including pheromones and hormones. Vomeronasal organ receptor type 1 (V1R) and type 2 (V2R) and estrogen receptor α and β (ERα and ERβ) were found in sensory epithelial cells, non-sensory epithelial cells and lamina propria cells of the female muskrats' VNO. V2R and ERα mRNA levels in the VNO during the breeding period declined sharply, in comparison to those during the non-breeding period, while V1R and ERβ mRNA levels were detected reversely. Additionally, transcriptomic study in the VNO identified that differently expressed genes might be related to estrogen signal and metabolic pathways. These findings suggested that the seasonal structural and functional changes in the VNO of female muskrats with different reproductive status and estrogen was regulated through binding to ERα and ERβ in the female muskrats' VNO.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenqian Xie
- Laboratory of Animal Physiology, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Meiqi Chen
- Laboratory of Animal Physiology, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Yuyao Shen
- Laboratory of Animal Physiology, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Yuning Liu
- Laboratory of Animal Physiology, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Haolin Zhang
- Laboratory of Animal Physiology, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Qiang Weng
- Laboratory of Animal Physiology, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
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Muñiz‐de Miguel S, Barreiro‐Vázquez JD, Sánchez‐Quinteiro P, Ortiz‐Leal I, González‐Martínez Á. Behavioural disorder in a dog with congenital agenesis of the vomeronasal organ and the septum pellucidum. VETERINARY RECORD CASE REPORTS 2023. [DOI: 10.1002/vrc2.571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Susana Muñiz‐de Miguel
- Veterinary Teaching at the Rof Codina University Veterinary Hospital, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Santiago de Compostela Lugo Spain
| | - José Daniel Barreiro‐Vázquez
- Department of Anatomy, Animal Production and Veterinary Clinical Sciences Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain
- Diagnostic Imaging Service, Rof Codina University Veterinary Hospital, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Santiago de Compostela Lugo Spain
| | - Pablo Sánchez‐Quinteiro
- Department of Anatomy, Animal Production and Veterinary Clinical Sciences Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain
| | - Irene Ortiz‐Leal
- Department of Anatomy, Animal Production and Veterinary Clinical Sciences Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain
| | - Ángela González‐Martínez
- Veterinary Teaching at the Rof Codina University Veterinary Hospital, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Santiago de Compostela Lugo Spain
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Bretes E, Wróblewski J, Wyszczelska-Rokiel M, Jakubowski H. Cystathionine β-synthase gene inactivation dysregulates major urinary protein biogenesis and impairs sexual signaling in mice. FASEB J 2022; 36:e22547. [PMID: 36098436 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202200969r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Reproductive success in mice depends on sexually dimorphic major urinary proteins (Mup) that facilitate interactions between females and males. Deletion of cystathionine β-synthase (Cbs) gene, a metabolic gene important for homeostasis of one-carbon metabolism, impairs reproduction by causing female infertility in mice. Here, we examined Mup biogenesis and sexual signaling in Cbs-/- versus Cbs+/- mice. We found significantly reduced levels of total urinary Mup protein in male and female Cbs-/- versus Cbs+/- mice. SDS-PAGE/Western blot, ESI-MS, and RT-qPCR analyses of the liver, plasma, and urinary proteins identified a male-specific Mup20 in Cbs-/- , but not in Cbs+/- females. The 18 893 Da Mup20 became the most abundant in urine of Cbs-/- females and males. Effects of Cbs genotype on 18 645 Da, 18 693 Da, and 18 709 Da Mup species abundance were Mup- and sex-specific. Cbs genotype-dependent changes in hepatic Mups and Mup20 expression were similar at the protein and mRNA level. Changes in Mups, but not in Mup20, can be explained by downregulation of hepatic Zhx2 and Ghr receptors in Cbs-/- mice. Behavioral testing showed that Cbs+/- females ignored Cbs-/- male urine but were attracted to Cbs+/- male urine. Cbs+/- males ignored urine of Cbs-/- males but countermarked urine of other Cbs+/- males and were attracted to urines of Cbs-/- as well as Cbs+/- females. Cbs-/- males did not countermark urine of Cbs+/- males but were attracted to urines of Cbs+/- females. Taken together, these findings show that Cbs, a metabolic gene, interacts with the processes involved in Mup biogenesis that are essential for the maintenance of sexual dimorphism and signaling and suggest that dysregulation of these interactions impairs reproductive fitness in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewa Bretes
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Jacek Wróblewski
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Poznań, Poland.,Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Poznań, Poland
| | - Monika Wyszczelska-Rokiel
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Rutgers University, New Jersey Medical School, International Center for Public Health, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Hieronim Jakubowski
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Poznań, Poland.,Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Rutgers University, New Jersey Medical School, International Center for Public Health, Newark, New Jersey, USA
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Inhibition of the medial amygdala disrupts escalated aggression in lactating female mice after repeated exposure to male intruders. Commun Biol 2022; 5:980. [PMID: 36114351 PMCID: PMC9481530 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03928-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Virgin female laboratory mice readily express pup care when co-housed with dams and pups. However, pup-sensitized virgins fail to express intruder-directed aggression on a single session of testing. To study whether repeated testing would affect the onset and dynamics of maternal or intruder-directed aggression, we tested dams and their accompanying virgins from postpartum day 4 to 6. Repeated testing led to escalated aggression towards male intruders in dams, but virgins never developed aggression. In dams, inhibition of the medial amygdala using DREADD (designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs) vectors carrying the hM4Di receptor blocked the expected increase in maternal aggression on the second testing day. Our data support that the onset of maternal aggression is linked to physiological changes occurring during motherhood, and that medial amygdala, a key centre integrating vomeronasal, olfactory and hormonal information, enables the expression of escalated aggression induced by repeated testing. Future studies selectively targeting specific neuronal populations of the medial amygdala are needed to allow a deeper understanding of the control of experience-dependent aggression increase, a phenomenon leading to the high aggression levels found in violent behaviours. The onset of maternal aggression in mice is dependent on physiological changes that occur during pregnancy and lactation, and the medial amygdala is key in the expression of escalated aggression induced by repeated testing.
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Navarro-Moreno C, Barneo-Muñoz M, Ibáñez-Gual MV, Lanuza E, Agustín-Pavón C, Sánchez-Catalán MJ, Martínez-García F. Becoming a mother shifts the activity of the social and motivation brain networks in mice. iScience 2022; 25:104525. [PMID: 35754727 PMCID: PMC9218376 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
During pregnancy hormones increase motivated pup-directed behaviors. We here analyze hormone-induced changes in brain activity, by comparing cFos-immunoreactivity in the sociosexual (SBN) and motivation brain networks (including medial preoptic area, MPO) of virgin versus late-pregnant pup-naïve female mice exposed to pups or buttons (control). Pups activate more the SBN than buttons in both late-pregnant and virgin females. By contrast, pregnancy increases pup-elicited activity in the motivation circuitry (e.g. accumbens core) but reduces button-induced activity and, consequently, button investigation. Principal components analysis supports the identity of the social and motivation brain circuits, placing the periaqueductal gray between both systems. Linear discriminant analysis of cFos-immunoreactivity in the socio-motivational brain network predicts the kind of female and stimulus better than the activity of the MPO alone; this suggests that the neuroendocrinological basis of social (e.g. maternal) behaviors conforms to a neural network model, rather than to distinct hierarchical linear pathways for different behaviors. Pups activate the sociosexual brain network of females more than nonsocial objects Pregnancy boosts motivation for pups and reduces incentive salience of buttons During pregnancy, specific circuits govern decision of caring or attacking pups The socio-motivational brain works as a network rather than a labelled-line circuit
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Affiliation(s)
- Cinta Navarro-Moreno
- Joint Research Unit on Functional Neuroanatomy (NeuroFun) - UJI. Predepartamental Unit of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitat Jaume I de Castelló. Campus Riu Sec. Av. Vicente Sos Baynat s/n, Castelló de la Plana 12071, Spain
| | - Manuela Barneo-Muñoz
- Joint Research Unit on Functional Neuroanatomy (NeuroFun) - UJI. Predepartamental Unit of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitat Jaume I de Castelló. Campus Riu Sec. Av. Vicente Sos Baynat s/n, Castelló de la Plana 12071, Spain
| | - María Victoria Ibáñez-Gual
- Department of Mathematics, IMAC, School of Technology and Experimental Sciences (ESTCE), Universitat Jaume I de Castelló. Campus Riu Sec. Av. Vicente Sos Baynat s/n, Castelló de la Plana 12071, Spain
| | - Enrique Lanuza
- Joint Research Unit on Functional Neuroanatomy (NeuroFun) - UV. Department of Cell and Functional Biology and Physical Anthropology, Faculty of Biology, Universitat de València. C. Doctor Moliner 50, Burjassot 46100, Spain
| | - Carmen Agustín-Pavón
- Joint Research Unit on Functional Neuroanatomy (NeuroFun) - UV. Department of Cell and Functional Biology and Physical Anthropology, Faculty of Biology, Universitat de València. C. Doctor Moliner 50, Burjassot 46100, Spain
| | - María José Sánchez-Catalán
- Joint Research Unit on Functional Neuroanatomy (NeuroFun) - UJI. Predepartamental Unit of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitat Jaume I de Castelló. Campus Riu Sec. Av. Vicente Sos Baynat s/n, Castelló de la Plana 12071, Spain
| | - Fernando Martínez-García
- Joint Research Unit on Functional Neuroanatomy (NeuroFun) - UJI. Predepartamental Unit of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitat Jaume I de Castelló. Campus Riu Sec. Av. Vicente Sos Baynat s/n, Castelló de la Plana 12071, Spain
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Rosen SF, Lima LV, Chen C, Nejade R, Zhao M, Nemoto W, Toprak E, Skvortsova A, Tansley SN, Zumbusch A, Sotocinal SG, Pittman C, Mogil JS. Olfactory exposure to late-pregnant and lactating mice causes stress-induced analgesia in male mice. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabi9366. [PMID: 35594354 PMCID: PMC9122321 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abi9366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
In an attempt to improve reproducibility, more attention is being paid to potential sources of stress in the laboratory environment. Here, we report that the mere proximity of pregnant or lactating female mice causes olfactory-mediated stress-induced analgesia, to a variety of noxious stimuli, in gonadally intact male mice. We show that exposure to volatile compounds released in the urine of pregnant and lactating female mice can themselves produce stress and associated pain inhibition. This phenomenon, a novel form of female-to-male chemosignaling, is mediated by female scent marking of urinary volatiles, such as n-pentyl-acetate, and likely signals potential maternal aggression aimed at defending against infanticide by stranger males.
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Bester‐Meredith JK, Burns JN, Dang MN, Garcia AM, Mammarella GE, Rowe ME, Spatacean CF. Blocking olfactory input alters aggression in male and female California mice (Peromyscus californicus). Aggress Behav 2022; 48:290-297. [PMID: 34706094 DOI: 10.1002/ab.22004] [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: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Olfactory input into the brain can be disrupted by a variety of environmental factors, including exposure to pathogens or environmental contaminants. Olfactory cues are often eliminated in laboratory rats and mice through highly invasive procedures like olfactory bulbectomy, which may also disrupt accessory olfactory pathways and detection of non-volatile odors. In the present study, we tested whether inducing anosmia through intranasal infusion of zinc gluconate alters aggression in a monogamous, biparental rodent species, the California mouse (Peromyscus californicus). This less invasive method of manipulating olfaction selectively targets the olfactory epithelium and reduces the detection of volatile odors. Treatment with zinc gluconate extended the time required for male and female California mice to find hidden pieces of apple and reduced the amount of time spent investigating bedding that was soiled by unfamiliar males. Moreover, inhibition of olfaction with zinc gluconate reduced aggressiveness in both sexes as demonstrated by an increased attack latency in the resident-intruder test among same-sex dyads from the same treatment group. These results suggest that volatile olfactory cues are necessary for agonistic responses in both male and female California mice. Therefore, even in species with complex social systems that include territorial aggression and monogamy, volatile olfactory cues modulate agonistic behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jennifer N. Burns
- Department of Biology Seattle Pacific University Seattle Washington USA
- Department of Psychiatry Translational Neuroscience Program, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Pittsburgh Pennsylvania USA
| | - Minh N. Dang
- Department of Biology Seattle Pacific University Seattle Washington USA
- University of Washington School of Medicine Seattle Washington USA
| | | | - Grace E. Mammarella
- Department of Biology Seattle Pacific University Seattle Washington USA
- University of Washington School of Medicine Seattle Washington USA
| | - Melissa E. Rowe
- Department of Biology Seattle Pacific University Seattle Washington USA
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Penn DJ, Zala SM, Luzynski KC. Regulation of Sexually Dimorphic Expression of Major Urinary Proteins. Front Physiol 2022; 13:822073. [PMID: 35431992 PMCID: PMC9008510 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.822073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Male house mice excrete large amounts of protein in their urinary scent marks, mainly composed of Major Urinary Proteins (MUPs), and these lipocalins function as pheromones and pheromone carriers. Here, we review studies on sexually dimorphic MUP expression in house mice, including the proximate mechanisms controlling MUP gene expression and their adaptive functions. Males excrete 2 to 8 times more urinary protein than females, though there is enormous variation in gene expression across loci in both sexes. MUP expression is dynamically regulated depending upon a variety of factors. Males regulate MUP expression according to social status, whereas females do not, and males regulate expression depending upon health and condition. Male-biased MUP expression is regulated by pituitary secretion of growth hormone (GH), which binds receptors in the liver, activating the JAK2-STAT5 signaling pathway, chromatin accessibility, and MUP gene transcription. Pulsatile male GH secretion is feminized by several factors, including caloric restriction, microbiota depletion, and aging, which helps explain condition-dependent MUP expression. If MUP production has sex-specific fitness optima, then this should generate sexual antagonism over allelic expression (intra-locus sexual conflict) selectively favoring sexually dimorphic expression. MUPs influence the sexual attractiveness of male urinary odor and increased urinary protein excretion is correlated with the reproductive success of males but not females. This finding could explain the selective maintenance of sexually dimorphic MUP expression. Producing MUPs entails energetic costs, but increased excretion may reduce the net energetic costs and predation risks from male scent marking as well as prolong the release of chemical signals. MUPs may also provide physiological benefits, including regulating metabolic rate and toxin removal, which may have sex-specific effects on survival. A phylogenetic analysis on the origins of male-biased MUP gene expression in Mus musculus suggests that this sexual dimorphism evolved by increasing male MUP expression rather than reducing female expression.
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12
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Liu M, Kim DW, Zeng H, Anderson DJ. Make war not love: The neural substrate underlying a state-dependent switch in female social behavior. Neuron 2022; 110:841-856.e6. [PMID: 34982958 PMCID: PMC8897222 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2021.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Female mice exhibit opposing social behaviors toward males depending on their reproductive state: virgins display sexual receptivity (lordosis behavior), while lactating mothers attack. How a change in reproductive state produces a qualitative switch in behavioral response to the same conspecific stimulus is unknown. Using single-cell RNA-seq, we identify two distinct subtypes of estrogen receptor-1-positive neurons in the ventrolateral subdivision of the female ventromedial hypothalamus (VMHvl) and demonstrate that they causally control sexual receptivity and aggressiveness in virgins and lactating mothers, respectively. Between- and within-subject bulk-calcium recordings from each subtype reveal that aggression-specific cells acquire an increased responsiveness to social cues during the transition from virginity to maternity, while the responsiveness of the mating-specific population appears unchanged. These results demonstrate that reproductive-state-dependent changes in the relative activity of transcriptomically distinct neural subtypes can underlie categorical switches in behavior associated with physiological state changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengyu Liu
- Program in Neurobiology, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA,Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA,Tianqiao and Chrissy Chen Institute for Neuroscience, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Dong-Wook Kim
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA,Allen Institute for Brain Science, Seattle WA 98109, USA
| | - Hongkui Zeng
- Allen Institute for Brain Science, Seattle WA 98109, USA
| | - David J. Anderson
- Program in Neurobiology, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA,Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA,Tianqiao and Chrissy Chen Institute for Neuroscience, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD, USA,Lead contact,Correspondence: (D.J.A)
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13
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Histology and lectin histochemistry in the vomeronasal organ of Korean native cattle, Bos taurus coreanae. JOURNAL OF ANIMAL REPRODUCTION AND BIOTECHNOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.12750/jarb.36.4.270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
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14
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Does a third intermediate model for the vomeronasal processing of information exist? Insights from the macropodid neuroanatomy. Brain Struct Funct 2021; 227:881-899. [PMID: 34800143 PMCID: PMC8930919 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-021-02425-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The study of the α-subunit of Gi2 and Go proteins in the accessory olfactory bulb (AOB) was crucial for the identification of the two main families of vomeronasal receptors, V1R and V2R. Both families are expressed in the rodent and lagomorph AOBs, according to a segregated model characterized by topographical anteroposterior zonation. Many mammal species have suffered from the deterioration of the Gαo pathway and are categorized as belonging to the uniform model. This scenario has been complicated by characterization of the AOB in the tammar wallaby, Notamacropus eugenii, which appears to follow a third model of vomeronasal organization featuring exclusive Gαo protein expression, referred to as the intermediate model, which has not yet been replicated in any other species. Our morphofunctional study of the vomeronasal system (VNS) in Bennett’s wallaby, Notamacropus rufogriseus, provides further information regarding this third model of vomeronasal transduction. A comprehensive histological, lectin, and immunohistochemical study of the Bennett’s wallaby VNS was performed. Anti-Gαo and anti-Gαi2 antibodies were particularly useful because they labeled the transduction cascade of V2R and V1R receptors, respectively. Both G proteins showed canonical immunohistochemical labeling in the vomeronasal organ and the AOB, consistent with the anterior–posterior zonation of the segregated model. The lectin Ulex europaeus agglutinin selectively labeled the anterior AOB, providing additional evidence for the segregation of vomeronasal information in the wallaby. Overall, the VNS of the Bennett’s wallaby shows a degree of differentiation and histochemical and neurochemical diversity comparable to species with greater VNS development. The existence of the third intermediate type in vomeronasal information processing reported in Notamacropus eugenii is not supported by our lectin-histochemical and immunohistochemical findings in Notamacropus rufogriseus.
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15
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Abellán-Álvaro M, Ayala G, Barneo-Muñoz M, Martínez-García F, Agustín-Pavón C, Lanuza E. Motherhood-induced gene expression in the mouse medial amygdala: Changes induced by pregnancy and lactation but not by pup stimuli. FASEB J 2021; 35:e21806. [PMID: 34369605 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202100163rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2021] [Revised: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
During lactation, adult female mice display aggressive responses toward male intruders, triggered by male-derived chemosensory signals. This aggressive behavior is not shown by pup-sensitized virgin females sharing pup care with dams. The genetic mechanisms underlying the switch from attraction to aggression are unknown. In this work, we investigate the differential gene expression in lactating females expressing maternal aggression compared to pup-sensitized virgin females in the medial amygdala (Me), a key neural structure integrating chemosensory and hormonal information. The results showed 197 genes upregulated in dams, including genes encoding hormones such as prolactin, growth hormone, or follicle-stimulating hormone, neuropeptides such as galanin, oxytocin, and pro-opiomelanocortin, and genes related to catecholaminergic and cholinergic neurotransmission. In contrast, 99 genes were downregulated in dams, among which we find those encoding for inhibins and transcription factors of the Fos and early growth response families. The gene set analysis revealed numerous Gene Ontology functional groups with higher expression in dams than in pup-sensitized virgin females, including those related with the regulation of the Jak/Stat cascade. Of note, a number of olfactory and vomeronasal receptor genes was expressed in the Me, although without differences between dams and virgins. For prolactin and growth hormone, a qPCR experiment comparing dams, pup-sensitized, and pup-naïve virgin females showed that dams expressed higher levels of both hormones than pup-naïve virgins, with pup-sensitized virgins showing intermediate levels. Altogether, the results show important gene expression changes in the Me, which may underlie some of the behavioral responses characterizing maternal behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Abellán-Álvaro
- Unitat mixta UV-UJI de Neuroanatomia Funcional Comparada, Departament de Biologia Cel·lular, Biologia Funcional i Antropologia Física, Facultat de Ciències Biològiques, Universitat de València, València, Spain
| | - Guillermo Ayala
- Department d'Estadística i Investigació Operativa, Facultat de Matemàtiques, Universitat de València, València, Spain
| | - Manuela Barneo-Muñoz
- Unitat mixta UV-UJI de Neuroanatomia Funcional Comparada, Unitat Predepartamental de Medicina, Fac. Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Jaume I, Castelló de la Plana, Spain
| | - Fernando Martínez-García
- Unitat mixta UV-UJI de Neuroanatomia Funcional Comparada, Unitat Predepartamental de Medicina, Fac. Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Jaume I, Castelló de la Plana, Spain
| | - Carmen Agustín-Pavón
- Unitat mixta UV-UJI de Neuroanatomia Funcional Comparada, Departament de Biologia Cel·lular, Biologia Funcional i Antropologia Física, Facultat de Ciències Biològiques, Universitat de València, València, Spain
| | - Enrique Lanuza
- Unitat mixta UV-UJI de Neuroanatomia Funcional Comparada, Departament de Biologia Cel·lular, Biologia Funcional i Antropologia Física, Facultat de Ciències Biològiques, Universitat de València, València, Spain
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16
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Iwanaga T, Nio-Kobayashi J. Unique blood vasculature and innervation in the cavernous tissue of murine vomeronasal organs. Biomed Res 2021; 41:243-251. [PMID: 33071260 DOI: 10.2220/biomedres.41.243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The vomeronasal organ (VNO) is an accessory olfactory device related to reproductive behavior. The soft tissue of the tubular organ is composed of sensory/non-sensory epithelia and a highly developed vasculature, which in the latter the dilation and contraction of blood vessels are thought to contribute to pumping in and out luminal fluid or air, like penile erectile tissue. The present histological observation of the murine VNO revealed a more complicated vasculature than previously evaluated ones with large differences along the rostro-caudal axis. An immunohistochemical study for vasoactive substances displayed extremely dense innervation by cholinergic nerves containing nitric oxide synthase and VIP/PHI in the thick smooth muscle layer surrounding venous sinuses at light and electron microscopic levels. Furthermore, the differential distribution of cholinergic nerves and adrenergic nerves may provide a novel insight into the pumping mechanism of VNO.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toshihiko Iwanaga
- Laboratory of Histology and Cytology, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine
| | - Junko Nio-Kobayashi
- Laboratory of Histology and Cytology, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine
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17
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Zilkha N, Sofer Y, Kashash Y, Kimchi T. The social network: Neural control of sex differences in reproductive behaviors, motivation, and response to social isolation. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2021; 68:137-151. [PMID: 33910083 PMCID: PMC8528716 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2021.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Social animal species present a vast repertoire of social interactions when encountering conspecifics. Reproduction-related behaviors, such as mating, parental care, and aggression, are some of the most rewarding types of social interactions and are also the most sexually dimorphic ones. This review focuses on rodent species and summarizes recent advances in neuroscience research that link sexually dimorphic reproductive behaviors to sexual dimorphism in their underlying neuronal circuits. Specifically, we present a few possible mechanisms governing sexually-dimorphic behaviors, by hypothalamic and reward-related brain regions. Sex differences in the neural response to social isolation in adulthood are also discussed, as well as future directions for comparative studies with naturally solitary species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noga Zilkha
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Yizhak Sofer
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Yael Kashash
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Tali Kimchi
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel.
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18
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Villamayor PR, Robledo D, Fernández C, Gullón J, Quintela L, Sánchez-Quinteiro P, Martínez P. Analysis of the vomeronasal organ transcriptome reveals variable gene expression depending on age and function in rabbits. Genomics 2021; 113:2240-2252. [PMID: 34015461 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2021.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Revised: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The vomeronasal organ (VNO) is a chemosensory organ specialized in pheromone detection that shows a broad morphofunctional and genomic diversity among mammals. However, its expression patterns have only been well-characterized in mice. Here, we provide the first comprehensive RNA sequencing study of the rabbit VNO across gender and sexual maturation stages. We characterized the VNO transcriptome, updating the number and expression of the two main vomeronasal receptor families, including 128 V1Rs and 67 V2Rs. Further, we defined the expression of formyl-peptide receptor and transient receptor potential channel families, both known to have specific roles in the VNO. Several sex hormone-related pathways were consistently enriched in the VNO, highlighting the relevance of this organ in reproduction. Moreover, whereas juvenile and adult VNOs showed significant transcriptome differences, male and female did not. Overall, these results contribute to understand the genomic basis of behavioural responses mediated by the VNO in a non-rodent model.
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Affiliation(s)
- P R Villamayor
- Department of Zoology Genetics and Physical Anthropology, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain; Department of Anatomy, Animal Production and Clinical Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain
| | - D Robledo
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, UK
| | - C Fernández
- Department of Zoology Genetics and Physical Anthropology, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain
| | - J Gullón
- Conejos Gallegos, COGAL SL, Rodeiro, Pontevedra, Spain
| | - L Quintela
- Department of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain
| | - P Sánchez-Quinteiro
- Department of Anatomy, Animal Production and Clinical Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain.
| | - P Martínez
- Department of Zoology Genetics and Physical Anthropology, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain
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19
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Salais-López H, Abellán-Álvaro M, Bellés M, Lanuza E, Agustin-Pavon C, Martínez-García F. Maternal Motivation: Exploring the Roles of Prolactin and Pup Stimuli. Neuroendocrinology 2021; 111:805-830. [PMID: 32645699 DOI: 10.1159/000510038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Motherhood entails increased motivation for pups, which become strong reinforcers and guide maternal behaviours. This depends on steroids and lactogens acting on the brain of females during pregnancy and postpartum. Since virgin female mice exposed to pups are nearly spontaneously maternal, the specific roles of endocrine and pup-derived signals in the induction of maternal motivation remain unclear. This work investigates maternal motivation in dams and virgin female mice, using a novel variant of the pup retrieval paradigm, the motivated pup retrieval test. We also analyse the role of prolactin (PRL) and of stimuli derived from a litter of pups and its mother, in the acquisition of maternal motivation. Experimental design included female mice in 3 conditions: lactating dams, comothers (virgins housed and sharing pup care with dams) and pup-naïve virgins. Females underwent 3 motivated-pup-retrieval trials, with pups displaced behind a 10-cm-high wire-mesh barrier. Dams retrieved with significantly lower latencies than comothers or virgins, indicating that full maternal motivation appears only after pregnancy. Although initially comothers and virgins showed no retrieval, comothers significantly improved throughout the experiment, suggesting an induced sensitization process. Lengthening exposure of comothers to the dyad pups-dam (from 2 to 5 days at the beginning of testing) had no strong effects on maternal sensitization. PRL responsiveness was analysed in these animals using immunohistochemical detection of phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (pSTAT5, PRL-derived signalling marker). As expected, dams showed significantly higher pSTAT5 expression in most of the analysed nuclei. Moreover, comothers displayed significantly higher PRL responsiveness than pup-naïve virgins in the medial preoptic nucleus, even if they display similar circulating PRL levels, which are significantly lower than those of dams. Given the instrumental role of this nucleus in the relay and integration of pup-derived stimuli to facilitate proactive maternal responses, this increase in PRL responsiveness likely reflects the mechanism underlying the maternal sensitization process reported in this work. Since the analyses of maternal motivation and PRL signalling in the brain were performed in the same animals, we were able to explore correlation between both set of data. The results shed light on the neuroendocrine mechanisms underlying maternal motivation and other aspects of maternal behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugo Salais-López
- Research Unit in Functional Neuroanatomy, Unitat Predepartamental de Medicina, Universitat Jaume I, Castelló de la Plana, Spain
| | - María Abellán-Álvaro
- Research Unit in Functional Neuroanatomy, Unitat Predepartamental de Medicina, Universitat Jaume I, Castelló de la Plana, Spain
- Research Unit in Functional Neuroanatomy, Departament de Biologia Cellular, Funcional i Antropologia Física, Universitat de València, Burjassot, Spain
| | - María Bellés
- Research Unit in Functional Neuroanatomy, Unitat Predepartamental de Medicina, Universitat Jaume I, Castelló de la Plana, Spain
| | - Enrique Lanuza
- Research Unit in Functional Neuroanatomy, Departament de Biologia Cellular, Funcional i Antropologia Física, Universitat de València, Burjassot, Spain
| | - Carmen Agustin-Pavon
- Research Unit in Functional Neuroanatomy, Departament de Biologia Cellular, Funcional i Antropologia Física, Universitat de València, Burjassot, Spain
| | - Fernando Martínez-García
- Research Unit in Functional Neuroanatomy, Unitat Predepartamental de Medicina, Universitat Jaume I, Castelló de la Plana, Spain,
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20
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Whittaker DJ, Hagelin JC. Female-Based Patterns and Social Function in Avian Chemical Communication. J Chem Ecol 2020; 47:43-62. [PMID: 33103230 DOI: 10.1007/s10886-020-01230-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Revised: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Much of the growing interest in avian chemical signals has focused on the role of kin recognition or mate attraction, often with an emphasis on males, with uropygial gland secretions perhaps providing information about an individual's identity and quality. Yet, data collected to date suggest sexual dimorphism in uropygial glands and secretions are often emphasized in female, rather than in male birds. That is, when a sexual difference occurs (often during the breeding season only), it is the female that typically exhibits one of three patterns: (1) a larger uropygial gland, (2) a greater abundance of volatile or semi-volatile preen oil compounds and/or (3) greater diversity of preen oil compounds or associated microbes. These patterns fit a majority of birds studied to date (23 of 30 chemically dimorphic species exhibit a female emphasis). Multiple species that do not fit are confounded by a lack of data for seasonal effects or proper quantitative measures of chemical compounds. We propose several social functions for these secretions in female-based patterns, similar to those reported in mammals, but which are largely unstudied in birds. These include: (1) intersexual advertisement of female receptivity or quality, including priming effects on male physiology, (2) intrasexual competition, including scent marking and reproductive suppression or (3) parental behaviors, such as parent-offspring recognition and chemical protection of eggs and nestlings. Revisiting the gaps of chemical studies to quantify the existence of female social chemosignals and any fitness benefit(s) during breeding are potentially fruitful but overlooked areas of future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle J Whittaker
- BEACON Center for the Study of Evolution in Action, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA.
| | - Julie C Hagelin
- Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK, 99775, USA
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21
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Takeishi A, Yeon J, Harris N, Yang W, Sengupta P. Feeding state functionally reconfigures a sensory circuit to drive thermosensory behavioral plasticity. eLife 2020; 9:e61167. [PMID: 33074105 PMCID: PMC7644224 DOI: 10.7554/elife.61167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Internal state alters sensory behaviors to optimize survival strategies. The neuronal mechanisms underlying hunger-dependent behavioral plasticity are not fully characterized. Here we show that feeding state alters C. elegans thermotaxis behavior by engaging a modulatory circuit whose activity gates the output of the core thermotaxis network. Feeding state does not alter the activity of the core thermotaxis circuit comprised of AFD thermosensory and AIY interneurons. Instead, prolonged food deprivation potentiates temperature responses in the AWC sensory neurons, which inhibit the postsynaptic AIA interneurons to override and disrupt AFD-driven thermotaxis behavior. Acute inhibition and activation of AWC and AIA, respectively, restores negative thermotaxis in starved animals. We find that state-dependent modulation of AWC-AIA temperature responses requires INS-1 insulin-like peptide signaling from the gut and DAF-16/FOXO function in AWC. Our results describe a mechanism by which functional reconfiguration of a sensory network via gut-brain signaling drives state-dependent behavioral flexibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asuka Takeishi
- Department of Biology, Brandeis UniversityWalthamUnited States
| | - Jihye Yeon
- Department of Biology, Brandeis UniversityWalthamUnited States
| | - Nathan Harris
- Department of Biology, Brandeis UniversityWalthamUnited States
| | - Wenxing Yang
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Center for Brain Science, Harvard UniversityCambridgeUnited States
| | - Piali Sengupta
- Department of Biology, Brandeis UniversityWalthamUnited States
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22
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Helmy M, Zhang J, Wang H. Neurobiology and Neural Circuits of Aggression. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2020; 1284:9-22. [DOI: 10.1007/978-981-15-7086-5_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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23
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The vomeronasal system of the newborn capybara: a morphological and immunohistochemical study. Sci Rep 2020; 10:13304. [PMID: 32764621 PMCID: PMC7411026 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-69994-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The vomeronasal system (VNS) is responsible for the perception mainly of pheromones and kairomones. Primarily studied in laboratory rodents, it plays a crucial role in their socio-sexual behaviour. As a wild rodent, the capybara offers a more objective and representative perspective to understand the significance of the system in the Rodentia, avoiding the risk of extrapolating from laboratory rodent strains, exposed to high levels of artificial selection pressure. We have studied the main morphological and immunohistochemical features of the capybara vomeronasal organ (VNO) and accessory olfactory bulb (AOB). The study was done in newborn individuals to investigate the maturity of the system at this early stage. We used techniques such as histological stains, lectins-labelling and immunohistochemical characterization of a range of proteins, including G proteins (Gαi2, Gαo) and olfactory marking protein. As a result, we conclude that the VNS of the capybara at birth is capable of establishing the same function as that of the adult, and that it presents unique features as the high degree of differentiation of the AOB and the active cellular migration in the vomeronasal epithelium. All together makes the capybara a promising model for the study of chemical communication in the first days of life.
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24
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Muroi Y, Nakamura A, Kondoh D, Ishii T. Investigation of the factors that induce maternal aggression towards juveniles among several mouse strains. Physiol Behav 2020; 226:113122. [PMID: 32768416 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2020.113122] [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: 06/06/2020] [Revised: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Maternal care and aggression are representative of maternal behavior among lactating female mice. Even neonates and juveniles, who are not biological offspring, can induce maternal care and aggression in dams. Here, we investigated the factors that induce maternal aggression through exposure to juvenile mice. We first addressed the role of intruder age on the induction of maternal aggression in dams. BALB/c dams displayed attacking behavior towards 14-day-old C57BL/6J male intruders. Consumption of food pellets during the weaning period was unlikely to affect the induction of attacking behavior, as the intruders reared by breastfeeding, without food pellets, induced intensive attacking behavior in dams. Next, we compared the intruder-mediated induction of attacking behavior through different mouse strains. Specifically, BALB/c intruders induced a lower level of attacking behavior in BALB/c or ICR dams, compared to the other strains tested. However, BALB/c intruders induced intense attacking behavior in C57BL/6N dams, indicating that the occurrence of attacking behavior is dependent on the strains of dams as well as intruders. A cross-fostering experiment highlighted that the rearing by an original mother was required for C57BL/6J juveniles to induce attacking behavior. In contrast, BALB/c intruders may emit an inhibitory factor that limits attacking behavior. We finally explored which parts of the body emit these aggression-inducible signals. Removal of body hair around the proximal tail of the intruders significantly decreased the attacking behavior of dams, demonstrating that chemical cues, namely pheromones, attached to the body hair around the proximal tail may be essential for inducing attacking behavior in dams.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshikage Muroi
- Department of Basic Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada, Nishi 2-11, Obihiro 080-8555, Hokkaido, Japan.
| | - Ayane Nakamura
- Department of Basic Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada, Nishi 2-11, Obihiro 080-8555, Hokkaido, Japan.
| | - Daisuke Kondoh
- Laboratory of Veterinary Anatomy, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada, Nishi 2-11, Obihiro 080-8555, Hokkaido, Japan.
| | - Toshiaki Ishii
- Department of Basic Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada, Nishi 2-11, Obihiro 080-8555, Hokkaido, Japan.
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25
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Tan S, Stowers L. Bespoke behavior: mechanisms that modulate pheromone-triggered behavior. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2020; 64:143-150. [PMID: 32682209 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2020.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Revised: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
What is good for others, may not be in my best interest. Individuals should not, and do not, respond identically in the same environment. Personalized social behavior is particularly important to ultimately ensure reproductive fitness. How and where neural activity is modulated to customize behavior has remained largely unknown. The robust response to pheromones provides a platform to identify the logic of how the brain initiates social behavior. Mouse pheromones engage innate motor actions that underlie social behavior yet are plastic to suit individual needs. Recent study of mouse pheromone behavior, neurocircuit activity, and functional manipulations is beginning to paint a complex, dynamic, and diverse picture of the mechanisms that enable flexible modulation of social behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shawn Tan
- Department of Neuroscience, Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Lisa Stowers
- Department of Neuroscience, Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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26
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The pheromone darcin drives a circuit for innate and reinforced behaviours. Nature 2020; 578:137-141. [PMID: 31996852 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-020-1967-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2018] [Accepted: 12/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Organisms have evolved diverse behavioural strategies that enhance the likelihood of encountering and assessing mates1. Many species use pheromones to communicate information about the location, sexual and social status of potential partners2. In mice, the major urinary protein darcin-which is present in the urine of males-provides a component of a scent mark that elicits approach by females and drives learning3,4. Here we show that darcin elicits a complex and variable behavioural repertoire that consists of attraction, ultrasonic vocalization and urinary scent marking, and also serves as a reinforcer in learning paradigms. We identify a genetically determined circuit-extending from the accessory olfactory bulb to the posterior medial amygdala-that is necessary for all behavioural responses to darcin. Moreover, optical activation of darcin-responsive neurons in the medial amygdala induces both the innate and the conditioned behaviours elicited by the pheromone. These neurons define a topographically segregated population that expresses neuronal nitric oxide synthase. We suggest that this darcin-activated neural circuit integrates pheromonal information with internal state to elicit both variable innate behaviours and reinforced behaviours that may promote mate encounters and mate selection.
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27
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Sheehan MJ, Campbell P, Miller CH. Evolutionary patterns of major urinary protein scent signals in house mice and relatives. Mol Ecol 2019; 28:3587-3601. [DOI: 10.1111/mec.15155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2019] [Revised: 06/10/2019] [Accepted: 06/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Polly Campbell
- Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology University of California – Riverside Riverside CA USA
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28
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Regulation of volatile and non-volatile pheromone attractants depends upon male social status. Sci Rep 2019; 9:489. [PMID: 30679546 PMCID: PMC6346026 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-36887-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2018] [Accepted: 11/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
We investigated the regulation of chemical signals of house mice living in seminatural social conditions. We found that male mice more than doubled the excretion of major urinary proteins (MUPs) after they acquired a territory and become socially dominant. MUPs bind and stabilize the release of volatile pheromone ligands, and some MUPs exhibit pheromonal properties themselves. We conducted olfactory assays and found that female mice were more attracted to the scent of dominant than subordinate males when they were in estrus. Yet, when male status was controlled, females were not attracted to urine with high MUP concentration, despite being comparable to levels of dominant males. To determine which compounds influence female attraction, we conducted additional analyses and found that dominant males differentially upregulated the excretion of particular MUPs, including the pheromone MUP20 (darcin), and a volatile pheromone that influences female reproductive physiology and behavior. Our findings show that once male house mice become territorial and socially dominant, they upregulate the amount and types of excreted MUPs, which increases the intensities of volatiles and the attractiveness of their urinary scent to sexually receptive females.
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29
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Le Moëne O, Ågmo A. The neuroendocrinology of sexual attraction. Front Neuroendocrinol 2018; 51:46-67. [PMID: 29288076 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2017.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2017] [Revised: 12/21/2017] [Accepted: 12/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Sexual attraction has two components: Emission of sexually attractive stimuli and responsiveness to these stimuli. In rodents, olfactory stimuli are necessary but not sufficient for attraction. We argue that body odors are far superior to odors from excreta (urine, feces) as sexual attractants. Body odors are produced by sebaceous glands all over the body surface and in specialized glands. In primates, visual stimuli, for example the sexual skin, are more important than olfactory. The role of gonadal hormones for the production of and responsiveness to odorants is well established. Both the androgen and the estrogen receptor α are important in male as well as in female rodents. Also in primates, gonadal hormones are necessary for the responsiveness to sexual attractants. In males, the androgen receptor is sufficient for sustaining responsiveness. In female non-human primates, estrogens are needed, whereas androgens seem to contribute to responsiveness in women.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anders Ågmo
- Department of Psychology, University of Tromsø, Norway.
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30
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Villamayor PR, Cifuentes JM, Fdz-de-Troconiz P, Sanchez-Quinteiro P. Morphological and immunohistochemical study of the rabbit vomeronasal organ. J Anat 2018; 233:814-827. [PMID: 30255591 DOI: 10.1111/joa.12884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/17/2018] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The characterization of the rabbit mammary pheromone, which is sensed by the main olfactory system, has made this species a unique model for the study of pheromonal communication in mammals. This discovery has brought attention to the global understanding of chemosensory communication in this species. Chemocommunication is mediated by two distinct organs located in the nasal cavity, the main olfactory epithelium and the vomeronasal organ (VNO). However, there is a lack of knowledge about the vomeronasal system in rabbits. To understand the role of this system, an exhaustive anatomical and histological study of the rabbit VNO was performed. The rabbit VNO was studied macroscopically by light microscopy, and by histochemical and immunohistochemical techniques. We employed specific histological staining techniques (periodic acid-Schiff, Alcian blue, Gallego's trichrome), confocal autofluorescence, histochemical labelling with the lectin Ulex europaeus agglutinin (UEA-I), and immunohistochemical studies of the expression of the Gαi2 and Gαo proteins and olfactory marker protein. The opening of the vomeronasal duct into the nasal cavity and its indirect communication with the oral cavity through a functional nasopalatine duct was demonstrated by classical dissection and microdissection. In a series of transverse histological sections, special attention was paid to the general distribution of the various soft-tissue components of this organ (duct, glands, connective tissue, blood vessels and nerves) and to the nature of the capsule of the organ. Among the main morphological features that distinguish the rabbit VNO, the presence of a double envelope, which is bony externally and cartilaginous internally, and highly developed venous sinuses stand out. This observation indicates the crucial role played in this species by the pumping mechanism that introduces chemical signals into the vomeronasal duct. The functional properties of the organ are also confirmed by the presence of a well-developed neuroepithelium and profuse glandular tissue that is positive for neutral mucopolysaccharides. The role of glycoconjugates was assessed by the identification of the α1-2 fucose glycan system in the neuroepithelium of the VNO employing UEA-I lectin. The pattern of labelling, which was concentrated around the commissures of the sensory epithelium and more diffuse in the central segments, is different from that found in most mammals studied. According to the expression of G-proteins, two pathways have been described in the VNOs of mammals: neuroreceptor cells expressing the Gαi2 protein (associated with vomeronasal receptor type 1); and cells expressing Gαo (associated with vomeronasal receptor type 2). The latter pathway is absent in most mammals studied. The expression of both G-protein families in the rabbit VNO places Lagomorpha together with rodents and insectivores in a small group of mammals belonging to the two-path model. These findings support the notion that the rabbit possesses a highly developed VNO, with many specific morphological features, which highlights the significance of chemocommunication in this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula R Villamayor
- Faculty of Veterinary, Department of Anatomy, Animal Production and Clinical Veterinary Sciences, University of Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain
| | - Jose Manuel Cifuentes
- Faculty of Veterinary, Department of Anatomy, Animal Production and Clinical Veterinary Sciences, University of Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain
| | - Patricia Fdz-de-Troconiz
- Faculty of Veterinary, Department of Anatomy, Animal Production and Clinical Veterinary Sciences, University of Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain
| | - Pablo Sanchez-Quinteiro
- Faculty of Veterinary, Department of Anatomy, Animal Production and Clinical Veterinary Sciences, University of Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain
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31
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Abstract
The lasting behavioral changes elicited by social signals provide important adaptations for survival of organisms that thrive as a group. Unlike the rapid innate responses to social cues, such adaptations have been understudied. Here, the rodent models of the lasting socially induced behavioral changes are presented as either modulations or reinforcements of the distinct forms of learning and memory or non-associative changes of affective state. The purpose of this categorization is to draw attention to the potential mechanistic links between the neuronal pathways that process social cues and the neuronal systems that mediate the well-studied forms of learning and memory. © 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexei Morozov
- Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute, Roanoke, Virginia.,School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, Virginia
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32
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Lee W, Khan A, Curley JP. Major urinary protein levels are associated with social status and context in mouse social hierarchies. Proc Biol Sci 2018; 284:rspb.2017.1570. [PMID: 28931741 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2017.1570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2017] [Accepted: 08/16/2017] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
We have previously shown that male mice living in groups of 12 males establish and maintain stable linear social hierarchies with each individual having a defined social rank. However, it is not clear which social cues mice use to signal and recognize their relative social status within their hierarchy. In this study, we investigate how individual social status both in pairs and in groups affects the levels of major urinary proteins (MUPs) and specifically MUP20 in urine. We housed groups of adult outbred CD1 male mice in a complex social environment for three weeks and collected urine samples from all individuals repeatedly. We found that dominant males produce more MUPs than subordinates when housed in pairs and that the production of MUPs and MUP20 is significantly higher in alpha males compared with all other individuals in a social hierarchy. Furthermore, we found that hepatic mRNA expression of Mup3 and Mup20 is significantly higher in alpha males than in subordinate males. We also show that alpha males have lower urinary creatinine levels consistent with these males urinating more than others living in hierarchies. These differences emerged within one week of animals being housed together in social hierarchies. This study demonstrates that as males transition to become alpha males, they undergo physiological changes that contribute to communication of their social status that may have implications for the energetic demands of maintaining dominance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Won Lee
- Department of Psychology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Amber Khan
- The Sophie Davis School of Medicine, The City University of New York, New York, NY, USA
| | - James P Curley
- Department of Psychology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA .,Center for Integrative Animal Behavior, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
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33
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Muroi Y, Nishimura M, Ishii T. The Accessory Olfactory System Facilitates the Recovery of the Attraction to Familiar Volatile Female Odors in Male Mice. Chem Senses 2017; 42:737-745. [PMID: 28968801 DOI: 10.1093/chemse/bjx045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Odors in female mice induce sexual arousal in male mice. Repeated exposure to female odors attenuates male attraction, which recovers when the odors are removed. The neuronal mechanisms for the recovery of male attraction have not been clarified. In this study, we examined how olfactory systems are involved in the recovery of male attraction to female odors following habituation in mice. Presentation with volatile female odors for 5 min induced habituation in males. To evaluate male attraction to familiar volatile female odors, we measured the duration for investigating volatile female odors from the same female mouse, which was presented twice for 5 min with 1-, 3-, or 5-min interval. Intranasal irrigation with ZnSO4 solution almost completely suppressed investigating behavior, indicating that the main olfactory system is indispensable for inducing the attraction to volatile female odors. In contrast, removal of the vomeronasal organ, bilateral lesions of the accessory olfactory bulb (AOB), or pharmacological blockage of neurotransmission in the AOB did not affect the investigation time at the first odor presentation. However, each one of the treatments decreased the investigation time in the second presentation, compared to that in the first presentation, at longer intervals than control treatment, indicating that the disturbance of neurotransmission in the accessory olfactory system delayed the recovery of the attraction attenuated by the first presentation. These results suggest that the accessory olfactory system facilitates the recovery of the attraction to familiar volatile female odors in male mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshikage Muroi
- Department of Basic Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan
| | - Masakazu Nishimura
- Department of Basic Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan
| | - Toshiaki Ishii
- Department of Basic Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan
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34
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Pardo-Bellver C, Martínez-Bellver S, Martínez-García F, Lanuza E, Teruel-Martí V. Synchronized Activity in The Main and Accessory Olfactory Bulbs and Vomeronasal Amygdala Elicited by Chemical Signals in Freely Behaving Mice. Sci Rep 2017; 7:9924. [PMID: 28855563 PMCID: PMC5577179 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-10089-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2017] [Accepted: 08/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemosensory processing in mammals involves the olfactory and vomeronasal systems, but how the activity of both circuits is integrated is unknown. In our study, we recorded the electrophysiological activity in the olfactory bulbs and the vomeronasal amygdala in freely behaving mice exploring a battery of neutral and conspecific stimuli. The exploration of stimuli, including a neutral stimulus, induced synchronic activity in the olfactory bulbs characterized by a dominant theta rhythmicity, with specific theta-gamma coupling, distinguishing between vomeronasal and olfactory structures. The correlated activation of the bulbs suggests a coupling between the stimuli internalization in the nasal cavity and the vomeronasal pumping. In the amygdala, male stimuli are preferentially processed in the medial nucleus, whereas female cues induced a differential response in the posteromedial cortical amygdala. Thus, particular theta-gamma patterns in the olfactory network modulates the integration of chemosensory information in the amygdala, allowing the selection of an appropriate behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecília Pardo-Bellver
- Department of de Biologia Cellular, Facultat de Ciències Biològiques, Universitat de València, Burjassot, Spain.,Laboratori de Circuits Neurals, Department of d'Anatomia i Embriologia Humana, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Sergio Martínez-Bellver
- Laboratori de Circuits Neurals, Department of d'Anatomia i Embriologia Humana, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Fernando Martínez-García
- Unitat Predepartamental de Medicina, Facultat de Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Jaume I. Castelló de la Plana, Castelló, Spain
| | - Enrique Lanuza
- Department of de Biologia Cellular, Facultat de Ciències Biològiques, Universitat de València, Burjassot, Spain
| | - Vicent Teruel-Martí
- Laboratori de Circuits Neurals, Department of d'Anatomia i Embriologia Humana, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain.
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35
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Liu YJ, Li LF, Zhang YH, Guo HF, Xia M, Zhang MW, Jing XY, Zhang JH, Zhang JX. Chronic Co-species Housing Mice and Rats Increased the Competitiveness of Male Mice. Chem Senses 2017; 42:247-257. [PMID: 28073837 DOI: 10.1093/chemse/bjw164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Rats are predators of mice in nature. Nevertheless, it is a common practice to house mice and rats in a same room in some laboratories. In this study, we investigated the behavioral and physiological responsively of mice in long-term co-species housing conditions. Twenty-four male mice were randomly assigned to their original raising room (control) or a rat room (co-species-housed) for more than 6 weeks. In the open-field and light-dark box tests, the behaviors of the co-species-housed mice and controls were not different. In a 2-choice test of paired urine odors [rabbit urine (as a novel odor) vs. rat urine, cat urine (as a natural predator-scent) vs. rabbit urine, and cat urine vs. rat urine], the co-species-housed mice were more ready to investigate the rat urine odor compared with the controls and may have adapted to it. In an encounter test, the rat-room-exposed mice exhibited increased aggression levels, and their urines were more attractive to females. Correspondingly, the levels of major urinary proteins were increased in the co-species-housed mouse urine, along with some volatile pheromones. The serum testosterone levels were also enhanced in the co-species-housed mice, whereas the corticosterone levels were not different. The norepinephrine, dopamine, and 5-HT levels in the right hippocampus and striatum were not different between the 2. Our findings indicate that chronic co-species housing results in adaptation in male mice; furthermore, it appears that long-term rat-odor stimuli enhance the competitiveness of mice, which suggests that appropriate predator-odor stimuli may be important to the fitness of prey animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying-Juan Liu
- School of Life Science and Technology, Nanyang Normal University, 1638 Wolong Road, Wolong District, Nanyang 473061, Henan Province, China and.,State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents in Agriculture, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Lai-Fu Li
- School of Life Science and Technology, Nanyang Normal University, 1638 Wolong Road, Wolong District, Nanyang 473061, Henan Province, China and
| | - Yao-Hua Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents in Agriculture, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Hui-Fen Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents in Agriculture, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Min Xia
- School of Life Science and Technology, Nanyang Normal University, 1638 Wolong Road, Wolong District, Nanyang 473061, Henan Province, China and
| | - Meng-Wei Zhang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Nanyang Normal University, 1638 Wolong Road, Wolong District, Nanyang 473061, Henan Province, China and
| | - Xiao-Yuan Jing
- School of Life Science and Technology, Nanyang Normal University, 1638 Wolong Road, Wolong District, Nanyang 473061, Henan Province, China and
| | - Jing-Hua Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents in Agriculture, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Jian-Xu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents in Agriculture, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China
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36
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Cádiz-Moretti B, Abellán-Álvaro M, Pardo-Bellver C, Martínez-García F, Lanuza E. Afferent and efferent projections of the anterior cortical amygdaloid nucleus in the mouse. J Comp Neurol 2017; 525:2929-2954. [DOI: 10.1002/cne.24248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2017] [Revised: 05/11/2017] [Accepted: 05/11/2017] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Bernardita Cádiz-Moretti
- Unitat Mixta de Neuroanatomia Funcional UV-UJI - Dept. de Biologia Cel·lular i Biologia Funcional, Facultat de Ciències Biològiques, Universitat de València; Burjassot 46100 València Spain
| | - María Abellán-Álvaro
- Unitat Mixta de Neuroanatomia Funcional UV-UJI - Dept. de Biologia Cel·lular i Biologia Funcional, Facultat de Ciències Biològiques, Universitat de València; Burjassot 46100 València Spain
| | - Cecília Pardo-Bellver
- Unitat Mixta de Neuroanatomia Funcional UV-UJI - Dept. de Biologia Cel·lular i Biologia Funcional, Facultat de Ciències Biològiques, Universitat de València; Burjassot 46100 València Spain
| | - Fernando Martínez-García
- Unitat Mixta de Neuroanatomia Funcional UV-UJI - Unitat Predepartamental de Medicina, Fac. Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Jaume I; Castelló de la Plana Spain
| | - Enrique Lanuza
- Unitat Mixta de Neuroanatomia Funcional UV-UJI - Dept. de Biologia Cel·lular i Biologia Funcional, Facultat de Ciències Biològiques, Universitat de València; Burjassot 46100 València Spain
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37
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Benderlioglu Z, Dow E. Low temperatures during ontogeny increase fluctuating asymmetry and reduce maternal aggression in the house mouse, Mus musculus. Ethology 2017; 123:442-452. [PMID: 29062162 PMCID: PMC5650073 DOI: 10.1111/eth.12614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Maternal aggression is behavior displayed by post-partum lactating female mice toward unfamiliar conspecifics, presumably as a defense against infanticide. A variety of perinatal stressors can impair maternal care in adulthood. Previous studies on associations between developmental perturbations and maternal aggression have produced mixed results. To address this issue, we employed a proxy for developmental instability, fluctuating asymmetry (FA) to further elucidate the relationship between low temperature stress and maternal aggression. FA, small, random deviations from perfect symmetry in bilateral characters is used as a quantitative measure of stress during ontogeny. Dams were either maintained in standard laboratory temperatures (21 ± 2 °C), or cold temperatures (8 ± 2 °C) during gestation. During lactation, their progeny either remained in the temperature condition in which they were gestated or were transferred to the other temperature condition. Four individual measures of FA, a composite of these measures, and three measures of maternal aggression were assessed in the female progeny in adulthood. Exposure to low temperatures during both pre- and early post-natal development increased composite FA and reduced all three measures of maternal aggression compared to controls. Exposure to low temperatures during the pre- or postnatal period alone did not induce either high FA or altered maternal aggression. Certain measures of FA and nest defense were negatively correlated. Our results suggest that low temperatures experienced during gestation and lactation may have important fitness costs. Low maternal aggression towards infanticidal conspecifics is likely to limit the number of offspring surviving into adulthood. Overall, FA appears to be a reliable indicator of chronic developmental stress with implications for fitness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeynep Benderlioglu
- Department of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Eliot Dow
- The Laboratory of Sensory Neuroscience, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
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38
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Oboti L, Trova S, Schellino R, Marraudino M, Harris NR, Abiona OM, Stampar M, Lin W, Peretto P. Activity Dependent Modulation of Granule Cell Survival in the Accessory Olfactory Bulb at Puberty. Front Neuroanat 2017; 11:44. [PMID: 28588456 PMCID: PMC5440572 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2017.00044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2017] [Accepted: 05/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The vomeronasal system (VNS) is specialized in the detection of salient chemical cues triggering social and neuroendocrine responses. Such responses are not always stereotyped, instead, they vary depending on age, sex, and reproductive state, yet the mechanisms underlying this variability are unclear. Here, by analyzing neuronal survival in the first processing nucleus of the VNS, namely the accessory olfactory bulb (AOB), through multiple bromodeoxyuridine birthdating protocols, we show that exposure of female mice to male soiled bedding material affects the integration of newborn granule interneurons mainly after puberty. This effect is induced by urine compounds produced by mature males, as bedding soiled by younger males was ineffective. The granule cell increase induced by mature male odor exposure is not prevented by pre-pubertal ovariectomy, indicating a lesser role of circulating estrogens in this plasticity. Interestingly, the intake of adult male urine-derived cues by the female vomeronasal organ increases during puberty, suggesting a direct correlation between sensory activity and AOB neuronal plasticity. Thus, as odor exposure increases the responses of newly born cells to the experienced stimuli, the addition of new GABAergic inhibitory cells to the AOB might contribute to the shaping of vomeronasal processing of male cues after puberty. Consistently, only after puberty, female mice are capable to discriminate individual male odors through the VNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Livio Oboti
- Center for Neuroscience Research, Children's National Health System, WashingtonDC, United States
| | - Sara Trova
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi, University of TorinoOrbassano, Italy
| | - Roberta Schellino
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi, University of TorinoOrbassano, Italy.,Department of Neurosciences "Rita Levi Montalcini", University of TurinTurin, Italy
| | - Marilena Marraudino
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi, University of TorinoOrbassano, Italy.,Department of Neurosciences "Rita Levi Montalcini", University of TurinTurin, Italy
| | - Natalie R Harris
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, BaltimoreMD, United States
| | - Olubukola M Abiona
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, BaltimoreMD, United States
| | - Mojca Stampar
- Research Center for Genetic Medicine, Children's National Health System, WashingtonDC, United States
| | - Weihong Lin
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, BaltimoreMD, United States
| | - Paolo Peretto
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi, University of TorinoOrbassano, Italy
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39
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Quantitative inheritance of volatile pheromones and darcin and their interaction in olfactory preferences of female mice. Sci Rep 2017; 7:2094. [PMID: 28522864 PMCID: PMC5437034 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-02259-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2016] [Accepted: 04/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, we examined how urine-borne volatile compounds (UVCs) and darcin of male mice are inherited from parents and interact to modulate the olfactory preferences of females using two inbred strains of mice, C57Bl/6 (C57) and BALB/c (BALB), and their reciprocal hybrids (BC = BALB♀× C57♂; CB = C57♀ × BALB♂). Chemical analysis revealed that the UVCs of C57BL/6 males were quantitatively distinguishable from those of BALB/c males. Darcin was detected in C57 urine, but not in BALB urine. The levels of UVCs and darcin in both BC and CB were intermediate between those of C57 and BALB. Behaviourally, C57 females consistently preferred BALB male urine over C57 or CB males despite that there are trace amounts of darcin in BALB urine. However, the preference for BALB urine disappeared in contact two-choice tests of BALB vs. BC pairs, and restored when recombinant darcin was added to BALB male urine. Our results suggested that both UVCs and darcin in male mice are quantitatively inherited and interact to affect the olfactory preferences of females.
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40
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Molecular heterogeneity in major urinary proteins of Mus musculus subspecies: potential candidates involved in speciation. Sci Rep 2017; 7:44992. [PMID: 28337988 PMCID: PMC5364487 DOI: 10.1038/srep44992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2016] [Accepted: 02/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
When hybridisation carries a cost, natural selection is predicted to favour evolution of traits that allow assortative mating (reinforcement). Incipient speciation between the two European house mouse subspecies, Mus musculus domesticus and M.m.musculus, sharing a hybrid zone, provides an opportunity to understand evolution of assortative mating at a molecular level. Mouse urine odours allow subspecific mate discrimination, with assortative preferences evident in the hybrid zone but not in allopatry. Here we assess the potential of MUPs (major urinary proteins) as candidates for signal divergence by comparing MUP expression in urine samples from the Danish hybrid zone border (contact) and from allopatric populations. Mass spectrometric characterisation identified novel MUPs in both subspecies involving mostly new combinations of amino acid changes previously observed in M.m.domesticus. The subspecies expressed distinct MUP signatures, with most MUPs expressed by only one subspecies. Expression of at least eight MUPs showed significant subspecies divergence both in allopatry and contact zone. Another seven MUPs showed divergence in expression between the subspecies only in the contact zone, consistent with divergence by reinforcement. These proteins are candidates for the semiochemical barrier to hybridisation, providing an opportunity to characterise the nature and evolution of a putative species recognition signal.
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41
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Yohe LR, Abubakar R, Giordano C, Dumont E, Sears KE, Rossiter SJ, Dávalos LM. Trpc2 pseudogenization dynamics in bats reveal ancestral vomeronasal signaling, then pervasive loss. Evolution 2017; 71:923-935. [PMID: 28128447 DOI: 10.1111/evo.13187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2016] [Accepted: 12/30/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Comparative methods are often used to infer loss or gain of complex phenotypes, but few studies take advantage of genes tightly linked with complex traits to test for shifts in the strength of selection. In mammals, vomerolfaction detects chemical cues mediating many social and reproductive behaviors and is highly conserved, but all bats exhibit degraded vomeronasal structures with the exception of two families (Phyllostomidae and Miniopteridae). These families either regained vomerolfaction after ancestral loss, or there were many independent losses after diversification from an ancestor with functional vomerolfaction. In this study, we use the Transient receptor potential cation channel 2 (Trpc2) as a molecular marker for testing the evolutionary mechanisms of loss and gain of the mammalian vomeronasal system. We sequenced Trpc2 exon 2 in over 100 bat species across 17 of 20 chiropteran families. Most families showed independent pseudogenizing mutations in Trpc2, but the reading frame was highly conserved in phyllostomids and miniopterids. Phylogeny-based simulations suggest loss of function occurred after bat families diverged, and purifying selection in two families has persisted since bats shared a common ancestor. As most bats still display pheromone-mediated behavior, they might detect pheromones through the main olfactory system without using the Trpc2 signaling mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurel R Yohe
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, 11794
| | - Ramatu Abubakar
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, 11794
| | - Christina Giordano
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, 11794
| | - Elizabeth Dumont
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, 01003
| | - Karen E Sears
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, 61801.,School of Integrative Biology, Institute for Genome Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, 61801
| | - Stephen J Rossiter
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, E1 4NS, United Kingdom
| | - Liliana M Dávalos
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, 11794.,Consortium for Inter-Disciplinary Environmental Research, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, 11794
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Salais-López H, Lanuza E, Agustín-Pavón C, Martínez-García F. Tuning the brain for motherhood: prolactin-like central signalling in virgin, pregnant, and lactating female mice. Brain Struct Funct 2016; 222:895-921. [DOI: 10.1007/s00429-016-1254-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2016] [Accepted: 06/16/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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GUO H, FANG Q, HUO Y, ZHANG Y, ZHANG J. Social dominance-related major urinary proteins and the regulatory mechanism in mice. Integr Zool 2015; 10:543-54. [DOI: 10.1111/1749-4877.12165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Huifen GUO
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents in Agriculture; Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Beijing China
| | - Qi FANG
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents in Agriculture; Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Beijing China
| | - Ying HUO
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents in Agriculture; Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Beijing China
| | - Yaohua ZHANG
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents in Agriculture; Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Beijing China
| | - Jianxu ZHANG
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents in Agriculture; Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Beijing China
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Rosal-Vela A, García-Rodríguez S, Postigo J, Iglesias M, Longobardo V, Lario A, Merino J, Merino R, Zubiaur M, Sancho J. Distinct serum proteome profiles associated with collagen-induced arthritis and complete Freund's adjuvant-induced inflammation in CD38−/−
mice: The discriminative power of protein species or proteoforms. Proteomics 2015; 15:3382-93. [DOI: 10.1002/pmic.201400536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2015] [Revised: 04/25/2015] [Accepted: 07/10/2015] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Rosal-Vela
- Departamento de Biología Celular e Inmunología; Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López Neyra (IPBLN), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), PTS Granada; Granada Spain
| | - Sonia García-Rodríguez
- Departamento de Biología Celular e Inmunología; Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López Neyra (IPBLN), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), PTS Granada; Granada Spain
| | - Jorge Postigo
- Departamento de Biología Molecular; Instituto de Formación e Investigación Marqués de Valdecilla, Universidad de Cantabria; Cantabria Spain
| | - Marcos Iglesias
- Departamento de Biología Molecular; Instituto de Formación e Investigación Marqués de Valdecilla, Universidad de Cantabria; Cantabria Spain
| | - Victoria Longobardo
- Unidad de Proteómica; Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López-Neyra (IPBLN), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), PTS Granada; Granada Spain
| | - Antonio Lario
- Unidad de Proteómica; Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López-Neyra (IPBLN), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), PTS Granada; Granada Spain
| | - Jesús Merino
- Departamento de Biología Molecular; Instituto de Formación e Investigación Marqués de Valdecilla, Universidad de Cantabria; Cantabria Spain
| | - Ramón Merino
- Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnología de Cantabria/CSIC-Universidad de Cantabria-SODERCAN; Cantabria Spain
| | - Mercedes Zubiaur
- Departamento de Biología Celular e Inmunología; Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López Neyra (IPBLN), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), PTS Granada; Granada Spain
| | - Jaime Sancho
- Departamento de Biología Celular e Inmunología; Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López Neyra (IPBLN), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), PTS Granada; Granada Spain
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Martín-Sánchez A, Valera-Marín G, Hernández-Martínez A, Lanuza E, Martínez-García F, Agustín-Pavón C. Wired for motherhood: induction of maternal care but not maternal aggression in virgin female CD1 mice. Front Behav Neurosci 2015; 9:197. [PMID: 26257621 PMCID: PMC4512027 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2015.00197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2015] [Accepted: 07/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Virgin adult female mice display nearly spontaneous maternal care towards foster pups after a short period of sensitization. This indicates that maternal care is triggered by sensory stimulation provided by the pups and that its onset is largely independent on the physiological events related to gestation, parturition and lactation. Conversely, the factors influencing maternal aggression are poorly understood. In this study, we sought to characterize two models of maternal sensitization in the outbred CD1 strain. To do so, a group of virgin females (godmothers) were exposed to continuous cohabitation with a lactating dam and their pups from the moment of parturition, whereas a second group (pup-sensitized females), were exposed 2 h daily to foster pups. Both groups were tested for maternal behavior on postnatal days 2–4. Godmothers expressed full maternal care from the first test. Also, they expressed higher levels of crouching than dams. Pup-sensitized females differed from dams in all measures of pup-directed behavior in the first test, and expressed full maternal care after two sessions of contact with pups. However, both protocols failed to induce maternal aggression toward a male intruder after full onset of pup-directed maternal behavior, even in the presence of pups. Our study confirms that adult female mice need a short sensitization period before the onset of maternal care. Further, it shows that pup-oriented and non-pup-oriented components of maternal behavior are under different physiological control. We conclude that the godmother model might be useful to study the physiological and neural bases of the maternal behavior repertoire.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Martín-Sánchez
- Laboratory of Functional Neuroanatomy (NeuroFun), Unitat Predepartamental de Medicina, Facultat de Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Jaume I Castelló de la Plana, Spain ; Departaments de Biologia Cel·lular i de Biologia Funcional, Facultat de Ciències Biològiques, Universitat de València València, Spain
| | - Guillermo Valera-Marín
- Departaments de Biologia Cel·lular i de Biologia Funcional, Facultat de Ciències Biològiques, Universitat de València València, Spain
| | - Adoración Hernández-Martínez
- Departaments de Biologia Cel·lular i de Biologia Funcional, Facultat de Ciències Biològiques, Universitat de València València, Spain
| | - Enrique Lanuza
- Departaments de Biologia Cel·lular i de Biologia Funcional, Facultat de Ciències Biològiques, Universitat de València València, Spain
| | - Fernando Martínez-García
- Laboratory of Functional Neuroanatomy (NeuroFun), Unitat Predepartamental de Medicina, Facultat de Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Jaume I Castelló de la Plana, Spain
| | - Carmen Agustín-Pavón
- Laboratory of Functional Neuroanatomy (NeuroFun), Unitat Predepartamental de Medicina, Facultat de Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Jaume I Castelló de la Plana, Spain
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Abstract
Today’s laboratory mouse, Mus musculus, has its origins as the ‘house mouse’ of North America and Europe. Beginning with mice bred by mouse fanciers, laboratory stocks (outbred) derived from M. musculus musculus from eastern Europe and M. m. domesticus from western Europe were developed into inbred strains. Since the mid-1980s, additional strains have been developed from Asian mice (M. m. castaneus from Thailand and M. m. molossinus from Japan) and from M. spretus which originated from the western Mediterranean region.
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Pérez-Gómez A, Stein B, Leinders-Zufall T, Chamero P. Signaling mechanisms and behavioral function of the mouse basal vomeronasal neuroepithelium. Front Neuroanat 2014; 8:135. [PMID: 25505388 PMCID: PMC4244706 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2014.00135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2014] [Accepted: 11/03/2014] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The vomeronasal organ (VNO) is a sensory organ that is found in most terrestrial vertebrates and that is principally implicated in the detection of pheromones. The VNO contains specialized sensory neurons organized in a pseudostratified neuroepithelium that recognize chemical signals involved in initiating innate behavioral responses. In rodents, the VNO neuroepithelium is segregated into two distinct zones, apical and basal. The molecular mechanisms involved in ligand detection by apical and basal VNO sensory neurons differ extensively. These two VNO subsystems express different subfamilies of vomeronasal receptors and signaling molecules, detect distinct chemosignals, and project to separate regions of the accessory olfactory bulb (AOB). The roles that these olfactory subdivisions play in the control of specific olfactory-mediated behaviors are largely unclear. However, analysis of mutant mouse lines for signal transduction components together with identification of defined chemosensory ligands has revealed a fundamental role of the basal part of the mouse VNO in mediating a wide range of instinctive behaviors, such as aggression, predator avoidance, and sexual attraction. Here we will compare the divergent functions and synergies between the olfactory subsystems and consider new insights in how higher neural circuits are defined for the initiation of instinctive behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anabel Pérez-Gómez
- Department of Physiology, University of Saarland School of Medicine Homburg, Saarland, Germany
| | - Benjamin Stein
- Department of Physiology, University of Saarland School of Medicine Homburg, Saarland, Germany
| | - Trese Leinders-Zufall
- Department of Physiology, University of Saarland School of Medicine Homburg, Saarland, Germany
| | - Pablo Chamero
- Department of Physiology, University of Saarland School of Medicine Homburg, Saarland, Germany
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