Male mice ultrasonic vocalizations enhance female sexual approach and hypothalamic kisspeptin neuron activity. 2017

Akari Asaba, and Takuya Osakada, and Kazushige Touhara, and Masahiro Kato, and Kazutaka Mogi, and Takefumi Kikusui
Companion Animal Research, School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, Kanagawa, Japan.

Vocal communication in animals is important for ensuring reproductive success. Male mice emit song-like "ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs)" when they encounter female mice, and females show approach to the USVs. However, it is unclear whether USVs of male mice trigger female behavioral and endocrine responses in reproduction. In this study, we first investigated the relationship between the number of deliveries in breeding pairs for 4months and USVs syllables emitted from those paired males during 3min of sexual encounter with unfamiliar female mice. There was a positive correlation between these two indices, which suggests that breeding pairs in which males could emit USVs more frequently had more offspring. Further, we examined the effect of USVs of male mice on female sexual behavior. Female mice showed more approach behavior towards vocalizing males than devocalized males. Finally, to determine whether USVs of male mice could activate the neural system governing reproductive function in female mice, the activation of kisspeptin neurons, key neurons to drive gonadotropin-releasing hormone neurons in the hypothalamus, was examined using dual-label immunocytochemistry with cAMP response element-binding protein phosphorylation (pCREB). In the arcuate nucleus (Arc), the number of kisspeptin neurons expressing pCREB significantly increased after exposure to USVs of male as compared with noise exposure group. In conclusion, our results suggest that USVs of male mice promote fertility in female mice by activating both their approaching behavior and central kisspeptin neurons.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007031 Hypothalamus Ventral part of the DIENCEPHALON extending from the region of the OPTIC CHIASM to the caudal border of the MAMMILLARY BODIES and forming the inferior and lateral walls of the THIRD VENTRICLE. Lamina Terminalis,Preoptico-Hypothalamic Area,Area, Preoptico-Hypothalamic,Areas, Preoptico-Hypothalamic,Preoptico Hypothalamic Area,Preoptico-Hypothalamic Areas
D008297 Male Males
D008807 Mice, Inbred BALB C An inbred strain of mouse that is widely used in IMMUNOLOGY studies and cancer research. BALB C Mice, Inbred,BALB C Mouse, Inbred,Inbred BALB C Mice,Inbred BALB C Mouse,Mice, BALB C,Mouse, BALB C,Mouse, Inbred BALB C,BALB C Mice,BALB C Mouse
D008810 Mice, Inbred C57BL One of the first INBRED MOUSE STRAINS to be sequenced. This strain is commonly used as genetic background for transgenic mouse models. Refractory to many tumors, this strain is also preferred model for studying role of genetic variations in development of diseases. Mice, C57BL,Mouse, C57BL,Mouse, Inbred C57BL,C57BL Mice,C57BL Mice, Inbred,C57BL Mouse,C57BL Mouse, Inbred,Inbred C57BL Mice,Inbred C57BL Mouse
D008813 Mice, Inbred ICR An inbred strain of mouse that is used as a general purpose research strain, for therapeutic drug testing, and for the genetic analysis of CARCINOGEN-induced COLON CANCER. Mice, Inbred ICRC,Mice, ICR,Mouse, ICR,Mouse, Inbred ICR,Mouse, Inbred ICRC,ICR Mice,ICR Mice, Inbred,ICR Mouse,ICR Mouse, Inbred,ICRC Mice, Inbred,ICRC Mouse, Inbred,Inbred ICR Mice,Inbred ICR Mouse,Inbred ICRC Mice,Inbred ICRC Mouse
D009474 Neurons The basic cellular units of nervous tissue. Each neuron consists of a body, an axon, and dendrites. Their purpose is to receive, conduct, and transmit impulses in the NERVOUS SYSTEM. Nerve Cells,Cell, Nerve,Cells, Nerve,Nerve Cell,Neuron
D003380 Courtship Activities designed to attract the attention or favors of another. Courtships
D005260 Female Females
D000069453 Ultrasonic Waves Oscillating sound wave with a frequency higher than the upper limit of the human hearing range. LIPUS,Low Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound,Low Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound Radiation,Low-Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound (LIPUS),Pulsed Ultrasound,Ultrasonic Vibration,Ultrasound Radiation,Ultrasound Waves,Low Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound (LIPUS),Low-Intensity Pulsed Ultrasounds (LIPUS),Pulsed Ultrasound, Low-Intensity (LIPUS),Pulsed Ultrasounds,Pulsed Ultrasounds, Low-Intensity (LIPUS),Radiation, Ultrasound,Ultrasonic Vibrations,Ultrasonic Wave,Ultrasound Wave,Ultrasound, Low-Intensity Pulsed (LIPUS),Ultrasound, Pulsed,Ultrasounds, Low-Intensity Pulsed (LIPUS),Ultrasounds, Pulsed,Vibration, Ultrasonic,Vibrations, Ultrasonic,Wave, Ultrasonic,Wave, Ultrasound,Waves, Ultrasonic,Waves, Ultrasound
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia

Related Publications

Akari Asaba, and Takuya Osakada, and Kazushige Touhara, and Masahiro Kato, and Kazutaka Mogi, and Takefumi Kikusui
February 2021, Communications biology,
Akari Asaba, and Takuya Osakada, and Kazushige Touhara, and Masahiro Kato, and Kazutaka Mogi, and Takefumi Kikusui
January 2023, PloS one,
Akari Asaba, and Takuya Osakada, and Kazushige Touhara, and Masahiro Kato, and Kazutaka Mogi, and Takefumi Kikusui
July 1983, Physiology & behavior,
Akari Asaba, and Takuya Osakada, and Kazushige Touhara, and Masahiro Kato, and Kazutaka Mogi, and Takefumi Kikusui
October 1976, Behavioral biology,
Akari Asaba, and Takuya Osakada, and Kazushige Touhara, and Masahiro Kato, and Kazutaka Mogi, and Takefumi Kikusui
November 1981, Physiology & behavior,
Akari Asaba, and Takuya Osakada, and Kazushige Touhara, and Masahiro Kato, and Kazutaka Mogi, and Takefumi Kikusui
May 1984, Physiology & behavior,
Akari Asaba, and Takuya Osakada, and Kazushige Touhara, and Masahiro Kato, and Kazutaka Mogi, and Takefumi Kikusui
February 1989, Physiology & behavior,
Akari Asaba, and Takuya Osakada, and Kazushige Touhara, and Masahiro Kato, and Kazutaka Mogi, and Takefumi Kikusui
February 2011, Genes, brain, and behavior,
Akari Asaba, and Takuya Osakada, and Kazushige Touhara, and Masahiro Kato, and Kazutaka Mogi, and Takefumi Kikusui
January 2013, Frontiers in behavioral neuroscience,
Akari Asaba, and Takuya Osakada, and Kazushige Touhara, and Masahiro Kato, and Kazutaka Mogi, and Takefumi Kikusui
June 2013, Behavioral neuroscience,
Copied contents to your clipboard!