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Sounds and pheromones: neural networks merging olfactory and acoustic cues in sexual imprinting

Abstract

In many species, mating preferences develop at an early age through a process of instinctive learning, known as sexual imprinting. Mice use olfactory and acoustic cues from parents to learn and form memories of conspecifics and close kin, which enables them to avoid heterospecific matings as adults. Surprisingly, however, almost nothing is known about the neural circuits and mechanisms governing sexual imprinting in mice or any other species.Our project aims to identify in mice where and how the neural circuits responsible for sexual imprinting are formed during postnatal development and whether olfactory and acoustic cues cooperate to shape these circuits and control the mating preferences as adults.The project relies on complementary disciplines: team 1 with expertise in neuroscience will lead the neuroanatomical and neurophysiological part; team 2 with expertise in light propagation in highly scattering media will develop the micro-endoscopic system for in vivo photons detection and signal processing analysis; team 3 with expertise in animal behavior and communication will direct the behavioral aspects on laboratory and wild mice

Lemma

Neural networks and sexual imprinting

Coordination for vetmeduni vienna

Penn Dustin

Coordination in general

Serena Bovetti
Università degli Studi di Torino, Via Verdi, 8, 10124 Turin, Italy

Duration

01.11.20-30.04.24

Programme

Human Frontier Science Program

Type of Research

Basic research

Staff

Penn D.,

Zala S., Project team member

Vetmed Research Units

Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology

Projekt partner

Contact: Sylvain Gigan
École normale supèrieure, 45 rue dÙlm, 75230 Paris cedex 05, France

Funded by

International Human Frontier Science Program Organization (HFSPO), 12 quai Saint Jean, 67080 Strasbourg, France

2 Publications

Penn, D (2021): Functions of sexual signals in wild house mice 19th SINS National Congress; SEP 9-11, 2021; Virtual, Italy. 2021.

Penn, Dustin J (2021): Sexual signaling in wildhouse mice Psychiatry and Neuroscience Seminar Series 2021; JUN 4, 2021; Paris, France. 2021.