Neural control of sexually dimorphic behaviors

Manoli, Devanand S.; Fan, Pu; Fraser, Eleanor J.; Shah, Nirao M.

doi:10.1016/j.conb.2013.04.005

Cited by 64 publications

(52 citation statements)

References 88 publications

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“…Pheromone-responsive circuits in the brain include subsets of sexually dimorphic nuclei expressing sex-steroid receptors thought to be primarily responsible for changes in sex-specific behavior (Manoli et al, 2013; Morris et al, 2004; Yang and Shah, 2014). However, the formal possibility that behavior regulation also occurs by altering signaling in the pheromone-detecting sensory neurons has not been previously evaluated.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cyclic Regulation of Sensory Perception by a Female Hormone Alters Behavior

Dey¹,

Chamero²,

Pru³

et al. 2015

Cell

181

163

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SUMMARY Females may display dramatically different behavior depending on their state of ovulation. This is thought to occur through sex-specific hormones acting on behavioral centers in the brain. Whether incoming sensory activity also differs across the ovulation cycle to alter behavior has not been investigated. Here, we show that female mouse vomeronasal sensory neurons (VSNs) are temporarily and specifically rendered “blind” to a subset of male-emitted pheromone ligands during diestrus yet fully detect and respond to the same ligands during estrus. VSN silencing occurs through the action of the female sex-steroid progesterone. Not all VSNs are targeted for silencing; those detecting cat ligands remain continuously active irrespective of the estrous state. We identify the signaling components that account for the capacity of progesterone to target specific subsets of male-pheromone responsive neurons for inactivation. These findings indicate that internal physiology can selectively and directly modulate sensory input to produce state-specific behavior.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cyclic Regulation of Sensory Perception by a Female Hormone Alters Behavior

Dey¹,

Chamero²,

Pru³

et al. 2015

Cell

181

163

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…As the hypothalamus contains many sexually dimorphic neuronal populations (Manoli et al, 2013; Simerly 2002), we quantified neuronal changes in both sexes. In the Arc, orexigenic neurons are characterized by their co-expression of Agrp and Npy , whereas anorexigenic neurons are characterized by their expression of Pomc and Cart (Broberger, 1999; Horvath et al, 1997; Ovejso et al, 2001); both populations are Dbx1 -derived (data not shown).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Specification of Select Hypothalamic Circuits and Innate Behaviors by the Embryonic Patterning Gene Dbx1

Sokolowski

Esumi

Hirata

et al. 2015

Neuron

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SUMMARY The hypothalamus integrates information required for the production of a variety of innate behaviors such as feeding, mating, aggression and predator avoidance. Despite an extensive knowledge of hypothalamic function, how embryonic genetic programs specify circuits that regulate these behaviors remains unknown. Here, we find that in the hypothalamus the developmentally regulated homeodomain-containing transcription factor Dbx1 is required for the generation of specific subclasses of neurons within the lateral hypothalamic area/zona incerta (LH) and the arcuate (Arc) nucleus. Consistent with this specific developmental role, Dbx1 hypothalamic-specific conditional-knockout mice display attenuated responses to predator odor and feeding stressors but do not display deficits in other innate behaviors such as mating or conspecific aggression. Thus, activity of a single developmentally regulated gene, Dbx1, is a shared requirement for the specification of hypothalamic nuclei governing a subset of innate behaviors.

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“…A change in neonatal odor valence from aversion to attraction has been attributed to the ordered release of pregnancy hormones, which in turn, cause a re-routing of amygdala outputs. Sex hormone signaling also shapes the architecture and function of olfactory circuits during a perinatal critical period and at puberty [121]. Testosterone produced during a perinatal surge is converted locally in the brain into estradiol, which perhaps counterintuitively, functions as an organizing signal to masculinize neural circuits.…”

Section: Odor Valence In Micementioning

confidence: 99%

Aversion and Attraction through Olfaction

2015

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Sensory cues that predict reward or punishment are fundamental drivers of animal behavior. For example, attractive odors of palatable food or a potential mate predict reward while aversive odors of pathogen-laced food or a predator predict punishment. Aversive and attractive odors can be detected by intermingled sensory neurons that express highly related olfactory receptors and display similar central projections. These findings raise basic questions of how innate odor valence is extracted from olfactory circuits, how such circuits are developmentally endowed and modulated by state, and the relationship between innate and learned odor responses. Here, we review odors, receptors, and neural circuits associated with stimulus valence, discussing salient principles derived from studies on nematodes, insects, and vertebrates. Understanding the organization of neural circuitry that mediates odor aversion and attraction will provide key insights into how the brain functions.

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Neural control of sexually dimorphic behaviors

Cited by 64 publications

References 88 publications

Cyclic Regulation of Sensory Perception by a Female Hormone Alters Behavior

Cyclic Regulation of Sensory Perception by a Female Hormone Alters Behavior

Specification of Select Hypothalamic Circuits and Innate Behaviors by the Embryonic Patterning Gene Dbx1

Aversion and Attraction through Olfaction

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