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Bryant AS, Hallem EA. Terror in the dirt: Sensory determinants of host seeking in soil-transmitted mammalian-parasitic nematodes. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 2018; 8:496-510. [PMID: 30396862 PMCID: PMC6287541 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2018.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2018] [Revised: 10/22/2018] [Accepted: 10/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Infection with gastrointestinal parasitic nematodes is a major cause of chronic morbidity and economic burden around the world, particularly in low-resource settings. Some parasitic nematode species, including the human-parasitic threadworm Strongyloides stercoralis and human-parasitic hookworms in the genera Ancylostoma and Necator, feature a soil-dwelling infective larval stage that seeks out hosts for infection using a variety of host-emitted sensory cues. Here, we review our current understanding of the behavioral responses of soil-dwelling infective larvae to host-emitted sensory cues, and the molecular and cellular mechanisms that mediate these responses. We also discuss the development of methods for transgenesis and CRISPR/Cas9-mediated targeted mutagenesis in Strongyloides stercoralis and the closely related rat parasite Strongyloides ratti. These methods have established S. stercoralis and S. ratti as genetic model systems for gastrointestinal parasitic nematodes and are enabling more detailed investigations into the neural mechanisms that underlie the sensory-driven behaviors of this medically and economically important class of parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Astra S Bryant
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Elissa A Hallem
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
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Lee JH, Dillman AR, Hallem EA. Temperature-dependent changes in the host-seeking behaviors of parasitic nematodes. BMC Biol 2016; 14:36. [PMID: 27154502 PMCID: PMC4858831 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-016-0259-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2015] [Accepted: 04/22/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) are lethal parasites of insects that are of interest as biocontrol agents for insect pests and disease vectors. Although EPNs have been successfully commercialized for pest control, their efficacy in the field is often inconsistent for reasons that remain elusive. EPN infective juveniles (IJs) actively search for hosts to infect using a diverse array of host-emitted odorants. Here we investigate whether their host-seeking behavior is subject to context-dependent modulation. Results We find that EPN IJs exhibit extreme plasticity of olfactory behavior as a function of cultivation temperature. Many odorants that are attractive for IJs grown at lower temperatures are repulsive for IJs grown at higher temperatures and vice versa. Temperature-induced changes in olfactory preferences occur gradually over the course of days to weeks and are reversible. Similar changes in olfactory behavior occur in some EPNs as a function of IJ age. EPNs also show temperature-dependent changes in their host-seeking strategy: IJs cultured at lower temperatures appear to more actively cruise for hosts than IJs cultured at higher temperatures. Furthermore, we find that the skin-penetrating rat parasite Strongyloides ratti also shows temperature-dependent changes in olfactory behavior, demonstrating that such changes occur in mammalian-parasitic nematodes. Conclusions IJs are developmentally arrested and long-lived, often surviving in the environment through multiple seasonal temperature changes. Temperature-dependent modulation of behavior may enable IJs to optimize host seeking in response to changing environmental conditions, and may play a previously unrecognized role in shaping the interactions of both beneficial and harmful parasitic nematodes with their hosts. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12915-016-0259-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joon Ha Lee
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, California, 90095, USA
| | - Adler R Dillman
- Department of Nematology, University of California, Riverside, California, 92521, USA
| | - Elissa A Hallem
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, California, 90095, USA.
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Nie Y, Swaisgood RR, Zhang Z, Hu Y, Ma Y, Wei F. Giant panda scent-marking strategies in the wild: role of season, sex and marking surface. Anim Behav 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2012.03.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Johnston RE, Sorokin ES, Ferkin MH. Scent Counter-marking by Male Meadow Voles: Females Prefer the Top-scent Male. Ethology 2010. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0310.1997.tb00159.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Johnston RE. Chapter 9 Individual Odors and Social Communication. ADVANCES IN THE STUDY OF BEHAVIOR 2008. [DOI: 10.1016/s0065-3454(08)00009-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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Ferkin MH, Leonard ST, Gilless JP. Exogenous melatonin administration affects self-grooming and conspecific odor preferences in long-photoperiod meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus). Physiol Behav 2007; 91:255-63. [PMID: 17449071 PMCID: PMC1995807 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2007.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2006] [Revised: 02/23/2007] [Accepted: 03/06/2007] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
For meadow voles, Microtus pennsylvanicus, seasonal differences exist in self-grooming and in odor preferences for conspecifics, two behaviors which facilitate sexual interactions in this species. Both behaviors are mediated by photoperiodically-induced changes in circulating gonadal steroid hormone titers which, in turn, can be transduced by the duration of the melatonin signal that a seasonally breeding animal receives. The goal of this study was to determine whether exogenous melatonin administration affects circulating gonadal steroid hormone titers in meadow voles, and whether it influences their odor preferences and self-grooming behavior to same- and opposite-sex conspecifics. Long-photoperiod voles that did not receive exogenous melatonin had higher testosterone (males) and estradiol (females) titers than did short-photoperiod voles and long-photoperiod voles treated with melatonin for 12 weeks; the latter had similar estradiol and testosterone titers. Long-photoperiod voles that did not receive melatonin preferred the scent marks of long-photoperiod opposite-sex conspecifics and spent more time self-grooming in response to their odors than those of either long-photoperiod same-sex, short-photoperiod same-sex, or short-photoperiod opposite-sex conspecifics. Long-photoperiod voles that received melatonin, however, no longer preferred the marks of long-photoperiod opposite-sex conspecifics and no longer spent more time self-grooming in response to their odors, not unlike the odor preferences and self-grooming behavior of short-photoperiod voles. As a whole, the data suggest that the duration of the melatonin signal is likely involved in mediating the photoperiodically-induced changes in gonadal steroid hormones that mediate a meadow vole's odor preferences for opposite-sex conspecifics and its self-grooming response to those marks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael H Ferkin
- Department of Biology, Ellington Hall, The University of Memphis, Memphis, TN 38152-6080, USA.
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Pierce AA, Iwueke I, Ferkin MH. Food deprivation and the role of estradiol in mediating sexual behaviors in meadow voles. Physiol Behav 2006; 90:353-61. [PMID: 17112551 PMCID: PMC1855151 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2006.09.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2005] [Revised: 09/11/2006] [Accepted: 09/22/2006] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Female mammals are particularly sensitive to changes in food availability. The mechanisms that affect sexual behavior and food intake are closely related to one another; chief among the mechanisms that control sexual behaviors in females is estradiol. In order to understand how food deprivation results in inhibition of sexual behavior (attractivity, proceptivity, and receptivity), we measured the effects of food deprivation on circulating concentrations of estradiol. We also determined whether estradiol treatment was sufficient to restore sexual behaviors in food-deprived female meadow voles. We found that estradiol titers of food-deprived female voles are significantly lower than those of ad lib-fed female voles. Further, we found that estradiol treatment was sufficient to restore proceptivity and receptivity in food-deprived, ovariectomized female voles. However, estradiol treatment was not able to overcome the food deprivation-induced inhibition of attractivity. Thus, decreases in estradiol titer of food-deprived female voles may be related to the suppression of their proceptive and receptive behaviors, and may be a mechanism that allows females to avoid mating when conditions are not propitious for their survival and that of their offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew A Pierce
- University of Memphis, Department of Biology, Memphis, TN 38152, United States.
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Simeonovska-Nikolova DM. Interspecific social interactions and behavioral responses of Apodemus agrarius and Apodemus flavicollis to conspecific and heterospecific odors. J ETHOL 2006. [DOI: 10.1007/s10164-006-0203-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Pierce AA, Ferkin MH, Williams TK. Food-deprivation-induced changes in sexual behaviour of meadow voles, Microtus pennsylvanicus. Anim Behav 2005. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2004.10.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Johnston RE. CHEMICAL COMMUNICATION IN RODENTS: FROM PHEROMONES TO INDIVIDUAL RECOGNITION. J Mammal 2003. [DOI: 10.1644/ble-010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 179] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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Use of olfaction for sexual recognition in the subterranean rodentCtenomys talarum. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2003. [DOI: 10.1007/bf03194264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Vasilieva NYU, Lai SC, Petrova EV, Johnston RE. Development of Species Preferences in Two Hamsters, Phodopus campbelli and Phodopus sungorus: Effects of Cross-Fostering. Ethology 2001. [DOI: 10.1046/j.1439-0310.2001.00642.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Johnston RE, Sorokin ES, Ferkin MH. Female voles discriminate males' over-marks and prefer top-scent males. Anim Behav 1997; 54:679-90. [PMID: 9299051 DOI: 10.1006/anbe.1997.0471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Scent over-marking is a common form of competitive advertisement among many species of mammals. Recent observations in golden hamsters, Mesocricetus auratushave suggested that individuals have specialized mechanisms for interpretation of and response to such over-marks. In this study, we examined whether meadow voles, Microtus pennsylvanicushave similar abilities. Female voles were first exposed to anogenital scent marks of two males and were then tested in a Y-maze for their preferences for whole-body odours of these two males. Experiments were run using a variety of configurations of scent marks during the exposure phase, but all experiments yielded consistent results. If the scent marks of the two males overlapped, females later preferred the whole-body odours of the male whose scent was on top; if the two scent marks did not overlap, females showed no preference. Females also preferred odours of familiar males over novel males, and preferred both top-scent and bottom-scent males over novel males. The results suggest that female voles can tell which individual's scent is on top in an over-mark and that they prefer this top-scent male, even though they know that both males' scents were present during the exposure phase. We suggest that these odour preferences reflect mate preferences and discuss possible reasons why females might prefer top-scent males.1997The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour
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Affiliation(s)
- RE Johnston
- Department of Psychology, Cornell University
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Ferkin MH, Sorokin ES, Johnston RE. Effect of prolactin on the attractiveness of male odors to females in meadow voles: independent and additive effects with testosterone. Horm Behav 1997; 31:55-63. [PMID: 9109599 DOI: 10.1006/hbeh.1997.1362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated the roles of testosterone and prolactin in seasonal changes in the attractiveness of odors of male meadow voles to long-photoperiod females. Prolactin was reduced in long-photoperiod males by treatment with bromocryptine (Experiment 1) and increased in short-photoperiod males by replacement with ovine prolactin (Experiment 2). Testosterone was manipulated by castration and testosterone replacement. During long photoperiods, the attractiveness of the odor produced by male meadow voles depends on the circulating titers of both prolactin and testosterone. Males with high titers of both hormones produced scents that were highly attractive to females; those with low titers of both hormones produced unattractive scents. When the concentration of one hormone was high and the other low, long-photoperiod males produced scents of intermediate attractiveness. During short photoperiods, the attractiveness of the male's scents depended strictly on his prolactin titers. Males with high prolactin titers produced attractive scents, and males with low prolactin titers produced unattractive scents, regardless of their prolactin concentrations. Thus, high titers of both testosterone and prolactin are needed to produce attractive scents in males exposed to long photoperiods, whereas high prolactin titers are sufficient in short-photoperiod males.
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Affiliation(s)
- M H Ferkin
- Department of Psychology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA
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FERKIN M, SOROKIN E, JOHNSTON R, LEE C. Attractiveness of scents varies with protein content of the diet in meadow voles. Anim Behav 1997. [DOI: 10.1006/anbe.1996.0284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Heth G, Nevo E, Todrank J. Seasonal changes in urinary odors and in responses to them by blind subterranean mole rats. Physiol Behav 1996; 60:963-8. [PMID: 8873276 DOI: 10.1016/0031-9384(96)00077-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Breeding and nonbreeding season male and female mole rats from two chromosomal species of the Spalax ehrenbergi superspecies were tested in a tunnel T-maze to assess their responses to urine collected from breeding- and nonbreeding season male and female conspecific and heterospecific donors. The results indicate that S. ehrenbergi mole rat urine contains species-, sex-, and season-specific chemosensory cues and that male and female mole rats change their responses to these chemosensory cue depending upon the season. During the nonbreeding season, mole rats avoid conspecific and heterospecific urine of both sexes. In contrast, during the breeding season, mole rats do not avoid conspecific urine and males do not avoid heterospecific urine. These changes in responses to the chemosensory cues in urine are adaptive to their seasonal life underground because they could help the animals avoid aggressive encounters during the nonbreeding season and facilitate their approaching potential mates and competitors during the breeding season. The results suggest that chemical communication could play a role in social encounters, reproduction, and species isolation in the S. ehrenbergi superspecies.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Heth
- Institute of Evolution, University of Haifa, Israel
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