Representation of male features in the female mouse Accessory Olfactory Bulb, and their stability during the estrus cycle

Published: March 12, 2025

Most behaviors result from integration of external and internal inputs. For example, social behavior requires information about conspecifics physiological states. Like many other mammals, female mice undergo a reproductive cycle during which their physiology behavioral responses to males change dramatically: estrus, they are more receptive male mating attempts. A critical element in is the investigative stage, mice, species, strongly relies on chemosensation. While initial approach mostly involves main olfactory system (MOS), once physical contact established, vomeronasal (VNS) engaged provide potential partners’ characteristics. Given estrus-stage dependent response, we asked whether representations features first brain relay VNS, namely, accessory bulb (AOB), cycle. To this end, used stimulus set comprising urine samples different strains virility levels, estrus non-estrus females. The was designed reveal if response patterns AOB neurons conform ethologically relevant dimensions such as sex, strain, particularly, state. Using extracellular recordings anesthetized find that most ethological categories contained our data not over-represented by neurons, suggesting early stages VNS processing encode conspecific efficiently. Then, comparing neuronal activity females, found overall, characteristics at single neuron population levels remain stable few changes do occur, consistent with systematic modulation features. Our findings imply presents account advanced stages.

Language: Английский

Representation of male features in the female mouse Accessory Olfactory Bulb, and their stability during the estrus cycle

Published: March 12, 2025

Most behaviors result from integration of external and internal inputs. For example, social behavior requires information about conspecifics physiological states. Like many other mammals, female mice undergo a reproductive cycle during which their physiology behavioral responses to males change dramatically: estrus, they are more receptive male mating attempts. A critical element in is the investigative stage, mice, species, strongly relies on chemosensation. While initial approach mostly involves main olfactory system (MOS), once physical contact established, vomeronasal (VNS) engaged provide potential partners’ characteristics. Given estrus-stage dependent response, we asked whether representations features first brain relay VNS, namely, accessory bulb (AOB), cycle. To this end, used stimulus set comprising urine samples different strains virility levels, estrus non-estrus females. The was designed reveal if response patterns AOB neurons conform ethologically relevant dimensions such as sex, strain, particularly, state. Using extracellular recordings anesthetized find that most ethological categories contained our data not over-represented by neurons, suggesting early stages VNS processing encode conspecific efficiently. Then, comparing neuronal activity females, found overall, characteristics at single neuron population levels remain stable few changes do occur, consistent with systematic modulation features. Our findings imply presents account advanced stages.

Language: Английский