The Experts below are selected from a list of 213 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
Robert J. Blanchard - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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neural correlates of scent Marking Behavior in c57bl 6j mice detection and recognition of a social stimulus
Neuroscience, 2009Co-Authors: K.g. Borelli, D. C. Blanchard, L.k. Javier, Erwin B. Defensor, Marcus Lira Brandão, Robert J. BlanchardAbstract:Mice show urinary scent Marking Behavior as a form of social communication. Marking to a conspecific stimulus mouse or odor varies with stimulus familiarity, indicating discrimination of novel and familiar animals. This study investigated Fos immunoreactivity in inbred C57BL/6J (C57) males following scent Marking Behavior in response to detection of a social stimulus, or discrimination between a familiar and an unfamiliar conspecific. In Experiment 1 C57 mice were exposed for four daily trials to an empty chamber; on a test day they were exposed to the same chamber or to a male CD-1 mouse in that chamber. Increased scent Marking to the CD-1 mouse was associated with increased Fos-immunoreactive cells in the basolateral amygdala, medial amygdala, and dorsal and ventral premammillary nuclei. In Experiment 2 C57 mice were habituated to a CD-1 male for 4 consecutive days and, on the 5th day, exposed to the same CD-1 male, or to a novel CD-1 male. Mice exposed to a novel CD-1 displayed a significant increase in scent Marking compared to their last exposure to the familiar stimulus, indicating discrimination of the novelty of this social stimulus. Marking to the novel stimulus was associated with enhanced activation of several telencephalic, as well as hypothalamic and midbrain, structures in which activation had not been seen in the detection paradigm (Experiment 1). These included medial prefrontal and piriform cortices, and lateral septum; the paraventricular nuclei, ventromedial nuclei, and lateral area of the hypothalamus, and the ventrolateral column of the periaqueductal gray. These data suggest that a circumscribed group of structures largely concerned with olfaction is involved in detection of a conspecific olfactory stimulus, whereas discrimination of a novel vs. a familiar conspecific stimulus engages a wider range of forebrain structures encompassing higher-order processes and potentially providing an interface between cognitions and emotions.
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Neural correlates of scent Marking Behavior in C57BL/6J mice: detection and recognition of a social stimulus.
Neuroscience, 2009Co-Authors: K.g. Borelli, D. C. Blanchard, L.k. Javier, Erwin B. Defensor, Marcus Lira Brandão, Robert J. BlanchardAbstract:Mice show urinary scent Marking Behavior as a form of social communication. Marking to a conspecific stimulus mouse or odor varies with stimulus familiarity, indicating discrimination of novel and familiar animals. This study investigated Fos immunoreactivity in inbred C57BL/6J (C57) males following scent Marking Behavior in response to detection of a social stimulus, or discrimination between a familiar and an unfamiliar conspecific. In Experiment 1 C57 mice were exposed for four daily trials to an empty chamber; on a test day they were exposed to the same chamber or to a male CD-1 mouse in that chamber. Increased scent Marking to the CD-1 mouse was associated with increased Fos-immunoreactive cells in the basolateral amygdala, medial amygdala, and dorsal and ventral premammillary nuclei. In Experiment 2 C57 mice were habituated to a CD-1 male for 4 consecutive days and, on the 5th day, exposed to the same CD-1 male, or to a novel CD-1 male. Mice exposed to a novel CD-1 displayed a significant increase in scent Marking compared to their last exposure to the familiar stimulus, indicating discrimination of the novelty of this social stimulus. Marking to the novel stimulus was associated with enhanced activation of several telencephalic, as well as hypothalamic and midbrain, structures in which activation had not been seen in the detection paradigm (Experiment 1). These included medial prefrontal and piriform cortices, and lateral septum; the paraventricular nuclei, ventromedial nuclei, and lateral area of the hypothalamus, and the ventrolateral column of the periaqueductal gray. These data suggest that a circumscribed group of structures largely concerned with olfaction is involved in detection of a conspecific olfactory stimulus, whereas discrimination of a novel vs. a familiar conspecific stimulus engages a wider range of forebrain structures encompassing higher-order processes and potentially providing an interface between cognitions and emotions.
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Scent Marking Behavior as an odorant communication in mice
Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 2008Co-Authors: Hiroyuki Arakawa, D. C. Blanchard, Keiko Arakawa, Christopher Dunlap, Robert J. BlanchardAbstract:In rodents, where chemical signals play a particularly important role in determining intraspecies interactions including social dominance and intersexual relationships, various studies have shown that Behavior is sensitive to conspecific odor cues. Mice use urinary scent marks for communication with individual conspecifics in many social contexts. Urinary scent involves genetic information about individuals such as species, sex, and individual identity as well as metabolic information such as social dominance, and reproductive and health status, which are mediated by chemical proteins in scent marks including the major histocompatibility complex and the major urinary proteins. The odor of the predator which can be considered to be a threatening signal for the prey also modulate mouse Behavior in which scent Marking is suppressed in response to the cat odor exposure in mice. These odorant chemicals are detected and recognized through two olfactory bulbs, the role of which in detection of chemosignals with biological relevant appears to be differential, but partly overlapped. Mice deposit scent marks toward conspecifics to maintain their social relationships, and inhibit scent Marking in a context where natural predator, cat odor is contained. This suppression of scent Marking is long-lasting (for at least 7 days) and context-dependent, while the odorant signaling to conspecifics tends to appear frequently (over 24 h but less than 7 days intervals) depending on the familiarity of each signal-recipient. It has been discussed that scent Marking is a communicative Behavior associated with territoriality toward conspecifics, indicating that the social signaling within species are sensitive to predator odor cues in terms of vulnerability to predation risk.
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Scent Marking Behavior in male C57BL/6J mice: sexual and developmental determination.
Behavioural Brain Research, 2007Co-Authors: Hiroyuki Arakawa, D. C. Blanchard, Keiko Arakawa, Robert J. BlanchardAbstract:The present study investigated urinary scent Marking Behavior in male C57BL/6J (C57) mice as olfactory social signaling. In Experiment 1, when compared scent Marking toward adult males, C57 males showed substantial scent Marking toward CD-1 males and even toward the odor alone of CD-1 males, but not toward C57 males. Experiment 2 explored scent Marking in C57 males of different ages to males and females, and juveniles and adults of the same strain. C57 males deposited more marks than control conditions only toward an adult C57 female when tested at 100 days of age, but not at 60 days of age. Development of urine Marking Behavior was investigated in C57 males at the ages of 30, 60, 90, and 120 days in Experiment 3. When tested alone (control) or confronted with a C57 male, C57 males showed diminished scent marks throughout development. Compared to controls, Marking toward a CD-1 male increased after the age of 60 days, while marks toward an adult female showed significant increases after the age of 90 days. This difference in scent Marking depending on the sex of the stimulus animal is likely to be associated with development of sexual Behavior, in which males need to set up territories against other males prior to advertising to females. Although highly inbred strains have similar odor components, C57 males are able to detect and deposit urine marks after puberty as social communication depending on age, sex, and genetic differences in the opponents.
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scent Marking Behavior in male c57bl 6j mice sexual and developmental determination
Behavioural Brain Research, 2007Co-Authors: Hiroyuki Arakawa, Keiko Arakawa, Caroline D Blanchard, Robert J. BlanchardAbstract:The present study investigated urinary scent Marking Behavior in male C57BL/6J (C57) mice as olfactory social signaling. In Experiment 1, when compared scent Marking toward adult males, C57 males showed substantial scent Marking toward CD-1 males and even toward the odor alone of CD-1 males, but not toward C57 males. Experiment 2 explored scent Marking in C57 males of different ages to males and females, and juveniles and adults of the same strain. C57 males deposited more marks than control conditions only toward an adult C57 female when tested at 100 days of age, but not at 60 days of age. Development of urine Marking Behavior was investigated in C57 males at the ages of 30, 60, 90, and 120 days in Experiment 3. When tested alone (control) or confronted with a C57 male, C57 males showed diminished scent marks throughout development. Compared to controls, Marking toward a CD-1 male increased after the age of 60 days, while marks toward an adult female showed significant increases after the age of 90 days. This difference in scent Marking depending on the sex of the stimulus animal is likely to be associated with development of sexual Behavior, in which males need to set up territories against other males prior to advertising to females. Although highly inbred strains have similar odor components, C57 males are able to detect and deposit urine marks after puberty as social communication depending on age, sex, and genetic differences in the opponents.
Jacqueline N Crawley - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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communication impairments in mice lacking shank1 reduced levels of ultrasonic vocalizations and scent Marking Behavior
PLOS ONE, 2011Co-Authors: Markus Wohr, Florence I Roullet, Albert Y Hung, Morgan Sheng, Jacqueline N CrawleyAbstract:Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder with a strong genetic component. Core symptoms are abnormal reciprocal social interactions, qualitative impairments in communication, and repetitive and stereotyped patterns of Behavior with restricted interests. Candidate genes for autism include the SHANK gene family, as mutations in SHANK2 and SHANK3 have been detected in several autistic individuals. SHANK genes code for a family of scaffolding proteins located in the postsynaptic density of excitatory synapses. To test the hypothesis that a mutation in SHANK1 contributes to the symptoms of autism, we evaluated Shank1−/− null mutant mice for Behavioral phenotypes with relevance to autism, focusing on social communication. Ultrasonic vocalizations and the deposition of scent marks appear to be two major modes of mouse communication. Our findings revealed evidence for low levels of ultrasonic vocalizations and scent marks in Shank1−/− mice as compared to wildtype Shank1+/+ littermate controls. Shank1−/− pups emitted fewer vocalizations than Shank1+/+ pups when isolated from mother and littermates. In adulthood, genotype affected scent Marking Behavior in the presence of female urinary pheromones. Adult Shank1−/− males deposited fewer scent marks in proximity to female urine than Shank1+/+ males. Call emission in response to female urinary pheromones also differed between genotypes. Shank1+/+ mice changed their calling pattern dependent on previous female interactions, while Shank1−/− mice were unaffected, indicating a failure of Shank1−/− males to learn from a social experience. The reduced levels of ultrasonic vocalizations and scent Marking Behavior in Shank1−/− mice are consistent with a phenotype relevant to social communication deficits in autism.
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Female urine-induced male mice ultrasonic vocalizations, but not scent-Marking, is modulated by social experience
Behavioural Brain Research, 2011Co-Authors: Florence I Roullet, Markus Wohr, Jacqueline N CrawleyAbstract:Despite the evidence for a communicative function of rodent scent marks and ultrasonic vocalizations, relatively little is known about the impact of social factors on these two forms of communication. Here, we tested the effects of two important social factors, prior exposure to a female and freshness of female urine, on male scent marks and ultrasonic vocalizations elicited by female urine. We also asked whether a recently reported strain difference between the highly social strain C57BL/6J (B6) and the mouse model of autism BTBR T+tf/J (BTBR) herein is specifically seen in response to female urine or also detectable in response to male urine traces. Results show that the emission of female urine-elicited ultrasonic vocalizations was dependent on previous female experience, while scent-Marking Behavior was not affected. A positive correlation was detected between scent-Marking Behavior and ultrasonic calling in the most biologically relevant context, male mice exposed to fresh female urine after female experience. Correlations were less prominent or missing in less biologically relevant contexts, e.g. in male mice exposed to fresh female urine without previous female experience, indicating that previous female experience is affecting both the emission of female urine-elicited ultrasonic vocalizations and the correlation between olfactory and acoustic communication. The strain difference in scent-Marking Behavior and ultrasonic calling between B6 and BTBR appears to be specific to female urine-elicited Behavior as it was not seen in response to male urine traces, highlighting the relevance of the social context in which mouse communication is evaluated. © 2010.
Joaquin N. Lugo - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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NS-Pten adult knockout mice display both quantitative and qualitative changes in urine-induced ultrasonic vocalizations.
Behavioural Brain Research, 2020Co-Authors: Matthew S. Binder, Dalton G. Jones, Samantha L. Hodges, Joaquin N. LugoAbstract:Abstract The NS-Pten knockout (KO) mouse exhibits hyperactivity of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and is a model of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). ASD presents with marked deficits in communication which can be elucidated by investigating their counterpart in mice, ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs). While USVs have been found to be altered in NS-Pten KO pups, no study has assessed whether this communication deficit persists into adulthood. In the present study, we investigate female urine-induced USVs, scent Marking Behavior, and open field activity in NS-Pten KO and wildtype (WT) adult male mice. Results showed that there was no difference in the quantity of vocalizations produced between groups, however, there were extensive alterations in the spectral properties of USVs. KO mice emitted vocalizations of a lower peak frequency, shorter duration, and higher peak amplitude compared to WT mice. KO animals also emitted a significantly different distribution of call-types relative to controls, displaying increased complex and short calls, but fewer upward, chevron, frequency steps, and composite calls. No significant differences between groups were observed for scent Marking Behavior and there was no difference between groups in the amount of time spent near the female urine. Overall, this study demonstrated that mTOR hyperactivity contributes to communication deficits in adult mice.
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Spectral and temporal properties of calls reveal deficits in ultrasonic vocalizations of adult Fmr1 knockout mice.
Behavioural Brain Research, 2017Co-Authors: Samantha L. Hodges, Suzanne O. Nolan, Conner D. Reynolds, Joaquin N. LugoAbstract:The Fmr1 knockout (KO) mouse has commonly been used to investigate communication impairments, one of the key diagnostic symptoms observed in Fragile X syndrome (FXS) and Autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Many studies have found alterations in ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) in neonatal Fmr1 KO mice, however, there is limited research investigating whether these deficits continue into adulthood. In the present study, we examine differences in female urine-induced ultrasonic vocalizations, scent Marking Behavior, odor discrimination, and open field activity in adult male Fmr1 KO and wildtype (WT) mice. Overall, we found extensive alterations between genotypes in both spectral and temporal properties of ultrasonic vocalizations. There was no difference in the average number of calls emitted by both genotypes, however, Fmr1 KO mice emitted calls of a higher frequency, decreased amplitude, and shorter duration than WT mice. Spectrographic analyses revealed statistically significant differences between genotypes in the types of calls emitted. Contrastingly, we found no differences in scent Marking Behavior, a form of social communication, or in odor discrimination and activity levels of the mice. The results corroborate previous studies emphasizing the importance of qualitative differences observed in vocalization Behavior of Fmr1 KO mice, rather than quantitative measurements such as number of calls emitted. Overall, the study confirms the presence of abnormalities in vocalization Behavior in adult Fmr1 KO mice that we believe are consistent with communication deficits seen in the syndrome.
Robert K. Swihart - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Modifying Scent‐Marking Behavior to Reduce Woodchuck Damage to Fruit Trees
Ecological Applications, 1991Co-Authors: Robert K. SwihartAbstract:Woodchucks (Marmota monax) damage fruit trees by gnawing on main stems during scent Marking, a Behavior unrelated to feeding. I tested whether damage could be reduced by providing alternative sites for scent Marking or by applying predator odor to trees. Nearly all hardwood stakes supplied as alternative sites for scent Marking were used, and the elapsed time from activation of a burrow until onset of damage to an adjacent tree was significantly greater for sites with stakes. However, the mean level of damage to trees was not significantly reduced. Impregnating hardwood stakes with sodium chloride increased their use as gnawing sites relative to untreated stakes, presumably due to dietary sodium deficits incurred by woodchucks during spring. Use of NaCl-treated stakes did not reduce damage to adjacent trees, however. Application of a predator odor, bobcat urine, as a topical spray reduced mean levels of gnawing by 98.3% relative to untreated trees, and placement of bobcat urine in capillary tubes at the bases of trees also resulted in significant reductions in damage over a 3-mo period.
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modifying scent Marking Behavior to reduce woodchuck damage to fruit trees
Ecological Applications, 1991Co-Authors: Robert K. SwihartAbstract:Woodchucks (Marmota monax) damage fruit trees by gnawing on main stems during scent Marking, a Behavior unrelated to feeding. I tested whether damage could be reduced by providing alternative sites for scent Marking or by applying predator odor to trees. Nearly all hardwood stakes supplied as alternative sites for scent Marking were used, and the elapsed time from activation of a burrow until onset of damage to an adjacent tree was significantly greater for sites with stakes. However, the mean level of damage to trees was not significantly reduced. Impregnating hardwood stakes with sodium chloride increased their use as gnawing sites relative to untreated stakes, presumably due to dietary sodium deficits incurred by woodchucks during spring. Use of NaCl-treated stakes did not reduce damage to adjacent trees, however. Application of a predator odor, bobcat urine, as a topical spray reduced mean levels of gnawing by 98.3% relative to untreated trees, and placement of bobcat urine in capillary tubes at the bases of trees also resulted in significant reductions in damage over a 3-mo period.
Dietrich Von Holst - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Organization of Territorial Marking Behavior by Testosterone During Puberty in Male Tree Shrews
Physiology & Behavior, 1998Co-Authors: Florian Eichmann, Dietrich Von HolstAbstract:According to current hypotheses, in mammals male-specific Behavior is organized perinatally, and activated in adulthood by male gonadal hormones. However, this strict differentiation between early organizational and late activational hormone effects has been criticized recently. Around puberty the testosterone levels of male mammals rise far above adult levels. In this study we examined the relevance of this pubertal testosterone peak on Marking Behavior of adult tree shrews (Tupaia belangeri). Male tree shrews were castrated before puberty and treated with testosterone either around puberty or in adulthood. Several months later, the Marking Behavior of the castrated adult animals was examined in standard tests in different scent conditions before and after a second testosterone treatment. Males castrated as adults as well as fertile females were used as controls. The testosterone peak during puberty did not influence male Marking Behavior in the absence of scent from conspecifics (familiarization Marking) or in the presence of female scent (sexual Marking). However, testosterone during puberty determined both the male-specific reaction patterns to male scent (territorial Marking) and the male-specific regulation of this Behavior by testosterone. These results indicate that testosterone during puberty specifically organizes male territorial-Marking Behavior. To our knowledge, these are the first results demonstrating organizational effects of testosterone during puberty on male Behavior.
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Sex-Specific Regulation of Marking Behavior by Sex Hormones and Conspecifics Scent in Tree Shrews (Tupaia belangeri)
Physiology & behavior, 1998Co-Authors: Dietrich Von Holst, Florian EichmannAbstract:Abstract HOLST, D. v. AND F. EICHMANN. Sex-specific regulation of Marking Behavior by sex hormones and conspecifics scent in tree shrews (Tupaia belangeri). PHYSIOL BEHAV 63(2) 157–164, 1998.—In tree shrews (Tupaia belangeri), both males and females mark their surroundings with urine and skin gland secretions. In this study we examined in standard tests the modulation of Marking Behavior of male and female tree shrews by hormones and chemical signals of conspecifics. Males mark more frequently than females in the absence of conspecific scent. Female scent elicits only low Marking responses in both sexes. Male scent stimulates Marking of both sexes, with a much higher response in females. Increasing amounts of male scent result in a corresponding increase in Marking by females. In contrast, male Marking is maximally stimulated by low scent concentrations of male conspecifics, whereas higher scent concentrations inhibit male Marking. Gonadectomy diminishes male Marking activities under all scent conditions, whereas in females only the response to male scent is reduced. In unscented cages, the low Marking activities of castrated males and intact females are stimulated by treatment with testosterone or estradiol. In the presence of male scent, however, only testosterone, but not estradiol, stimulates Marking of castrated males. Marking of intact males or females is not increased by either hormone. As this study shows, external (scent of conspecifics) and internal factors (sex hormone levels) interact to regulate tree shrews’ Marking Behavior in a sex-specific manner. These results are discussed with respect to the sex-specific contexts and functions of tree shrews’ Marking Behavior.