Circuit Mechanism of Pheromone Processing and Innate Behavior

项目摘要/摘要 动物已经进化出专门的神经回路，将感觉输入与神经内分泌和行为联系起来 回应。这些系统的适当功能对个人的健康和福祉至关重要。 感觉输入控制一些基本的重要先天行为，包括交配、攻击性和 父母的行为。这些回路的功能障碍可能会导致抑郁，情绪障碍，性功能障碍， 以及反常的父母行为。在这里，我们打算研究检测和处理的神经电路 信息素信息和调节啮齿动物的内分泌和行为反应。在脊椎动物中， 信息素提示可以直接触发交配仪式和领土侵略。许多陆地物种都有 进化出高度复杂的犁鼻系统来检测信息素。犁鼻路连接 直接进入内分泌系统并影响其输出。这些回路在很大程度上是由基因决定的。 感觉输入和行为反应之间存在着内在的联系。小鼠犁鼻 因此，电路是解释感觉信息的神经机制的理想模型系统。 先天行为的神经内分泌控制和感觉控制的加工、机制。类似的电路 存在于人类中，但可能在灵长类动物进化过程中被压缩为主要由主要嗅觉组成 系统，并包括其他感官模式。对犁鼻系统的研究可以提供一个路线图。 来理解这些更复杂的电路。 该应用程序的目的是描绘检测和处理犁鼻的回路 两类雌性信息素的信息。这项建议是基于我们的研究确定了两套 犁鼻受体识别信息素提示，传递性别身份和发情状态 雌鼠分别为。在这项研究中，我们将确定犁鼻感觉神经元的作用。 (VSNs)在性行为中表达这些受体。我们将调查并确定连接 副嗅球内VSNs和二尖瓣细胞之间的示意图。我们还将识别大脑 处理这些线索所传达的信息并将它们的 关系。这些研究有望揭示控制交配行为的高度特异的神经回路。

Project Summary/Abstract Animals have evolved specialized neural circuitry that links sensory input to neuroendocrine and behavioral responses. The proper function of these systems is essential for the health and wellbeing of individuals. Sensory inputs controls some fundamentally important innate behaviors, including mating, aggression and parental behaviors. Dysfunction in these circuits may lead to depression, mood disorders, sexual dysfunction, and aberrant parental behaviors. Here we propose to study the neural circuits that detect and process pheromone information and regulate endocrine and behavioral responses in rodents. In vertebrates, pheromone cues can directly trigger mating rituals and territorial aggression. Many terrestrial species have evolved highly sophisticated vomeronasal systems to detect pheromones. The vomeronasal circuit connects directly to the endocrine systems and influences their output. These circuits are largely genetically determined and there is an intrinsic link between sensory input and the behavioral responses. The mouse vomeronasal circuitry, therefore, serves as an ideal model system to elucidate the neural mechanism of sensory information processing, mechanism of neuroendocrine control and sensory control of innate behaviors. Similar circuits exist in humans but may have been compacted during primate evolution to consist of mostly the main olfactory system, and to include other sensory modalities. The study of the vomeronasal system can provide a roadmap to understand these more complex circuits. The objective of this application is to delineate the vomeronasal circuitry that detects and processes information of two classes of female pheromones. The proposal is based on our study identifying two sets of vomeronasal receptors recognizing pheromones cues that convey the sexual identity and the estrus status of female mice, respectively. In this study, we will determine the contribution of vomeronasal sensory neurons (VSNs) expressing these receptors to sexual behaviors. We will investigate and determine the connectivity diagram between the VSNs and the mitral cells in the accessory olfactory bulb. We will also identify the brain regions and specific cell populations that process information conveyed by these cues and map their connections. These studies are expected to reveal highly specific neural circuits that control mating behaviors