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Chen Z, Jia G, Zhou Q, Zhang Y, Quan Z, Chen X, Fukuda T, Huang Q, Shi Q. ARBUR, a machine learning-based analysis system for relating behaviors and ultrasonic vocalizations of rats. iScience 2024; 27:109998. [PMID: 38947508 PMCID: PMC11214285 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109998] [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: 03/08/2024] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Deciphering how different behaviors and ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) of rats interact can yield insights into the neural basis of social interaction. However, the behavior-vocalization interplay of rats remains elusive because of the challenges of relating the two communication media in complex social contexts. Here, we propose a machine learning-based analysis system (ARBUR) that can cluster without bias both non-step (continuous) and step USVs, hierarchically detect eight types of behavior of two freely behaving rats with high accuracy, and locate the vocal rat in 3-D space. ARBUR reveals that rats communicate via distinct USVs during different behaviors. Moreover, we show that ARBUR can indicate findings that are long neglected by former manual analysis, especially regarding the non-continuous USVs during easy-to-confuse social behaviors. This work could help mechanistically understand the behavior-vocalization interplay of rats and highlights the potential of machine learning algorithms in automatic animal behavioral and acoustic analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Chen
- School of Medical Technology, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Biomimetic Robots and Systems, Beijing Institute of Technology, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Guanglu Jia
- Key Laboratory of Biomimetic Robots and Systems, Beijing Institute of Technology, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
- Intelligent Robotics Institute, School of Mechatronical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Qijie Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Biomimetic Robots and Systems, Beijing Institute of Technology, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
- Intelligent Robotics Institute, School of Mechatronical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Yulai Zhang
- School of Medical Technology, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Biomimetic Robots and Systems, Beijing Institute of Technology, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Zhenzhen Quan
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Xuechao Chen
- Key Laboratory of Biomimetic Robots and Systems, Beijing Institute of Technology, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
- Intelligent Robotics Institute, School of Mechatronical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Toshio Fukuda
- Institute of Innovation for Future Society, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Qiang Huang
- Key Laboratory of Biomimetic Robots and Systems, Beijing Institute of Technology, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
- Intelligent Robotics Institute, School of Mechatronical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Qing Shi
- Key Laboratory of Biomimetic Robots and Systems, Beijing Institute of Technology, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
- Intelligent Robotics Institute, School of Mechatronical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China
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Hood KE, Hurley LM. Listening to your partner: serotonin increases male responsiveness to female vocal signals in mice. Front Hum Neurosci 2024; 17:1304653. [PMID: 38328678 PMCID: PMC10847236 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2023.1304653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
The context surrounding vocal communication can have a strong influence on how vocal signals are perceived. The serotonergic system is well-positioned for modulating the perception of communication signals according to context, because serotonergic neurons are responsive to social context, influence social behavior, and innervate auditory regions. Animals like lab mice can be excellent models for exploring how serotonin affects the primary neural systems involved in vocal perception, including within central auditory regions like the inferior colliculus (IC). Within the IC, serotonergic activity reflects not only the presence of a conspecific, but also the valence of a given social interaction. To assess whether serotonin can influence the perception of vocal signals in male mice, we manipulated serotonin systemically with an injection of its precursor 5-HTP, and locally in the IC with an infusion of fenfluramine, a serotonin reuptake blocker. Mice then participated in a behavioral assay in which males suppress their ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) in response to the playback of female broadband vocalizations (BBVs), used in defensive aggression by females when interacting with males. Both 5-HTP and fenfluramine increased the suppression of USVs during BBV playback relative to controls. 5-HTP additionally decreased the baseline production of a specific type of USV and male investigation, but neither drug treatment strongly affected male digging or grooming. These findings show that serotonin modifies behavioral responses to vocal signals in mice, in part by acting in auditory brain regions, and suggest that mouse vocal behavior can serve as a useful model for exploring the mechanisms of context in human communication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayleigh E. Hood
- Hurley Lab, Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States
- Center for the Integrative Study of Animal Behavior, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States
| | - Laura M. Hurley
- Hurley Lab, Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States
- Center for the Integrative Study of Animal Behavior, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States
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