Sexual experience does not compensate for the disruptive effects of zinc sulfate-lesioning of the main olfactory epithelium on sexual behavior in male mice
Keller, Matthieu; Douhard, Quentin; Baum, M. J.et al.
main olfactory system; male mice; sexual behavior; sexual experience; zinc sulfate
Abstract :
[en] Recent studies point to an important role for the main olfactory epithelium (MOE) in regulating sexual behavior in male mice. We asked whether sexual experience could compensate for the disruptive effects of lesioning the MOE on sexual behavior in male mice. Male mice, which were either sexually naive or experienced, received an intranasal irrigation of either a zinc sulfate solution to destroy the MOE or saline. Sexual behavior in mating tests with an estrous female was completely abolished in zinc sulfate-treated male mice regardless of whether subjects were sexually experienced or not before the treatment. Furthermore, zinc sulfate treatment clearly disrupted olfactory investigation of both volatile and nonvolatile odors. Destruction of the MOE by zinc sulfate treatment was confirmed by a significant reduction in the expression of Fos protein in the main olfactory bulb following exposure to estrous female urine. By contrast, vomeronasal function did not seem to be affected by zinc sulfate treatment: nasal application of estrous female urine induced similar levels of Fos protein in the mitral and granule cells of the accessory olfactory bulb (AOB) of zinc sulfate- and saline-treated males. Likewise, the expression of soybean agglutinin, which stains the axons of vomeronasal organ neurons projecting to the glomerular layer of the AOB, was similar in zinc sulfate- and saline-treated male mice. These results show that the main olfactory system is essential for the expression of sexual behavior in male mice and that sexual experience does not overcome the disruptive effects of MOE lesioning on this behavior.
Research center :
Giga-Neurosciences - ULiège
Disciplines :
Neurosciences & behavior Neurology
Author, co-author :
Keller, Matthieu ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département des sciences biomédicales et précliniques > Biologie de la différenciation sexuelle du cerveau
Douhard, Quentin ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département des sciences biomédicales et précliniques > Biologie de la différenciation sexuelle du cerveau
Baum, M. J.
Bakker, Julie ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département des sciences biomédicales et précliniques > Biologie de la différenciation sexuelle du cerveau
Language :
English
Title :
Sexual experience does not compensate for the disruptive effects of zinc sulfate-lesioning of the main olfactory epithelium on sexual behavior in male mice
Publication date :
October 2006
Journal title :
Chemical Senses
ISSN :
0379-864X
eISSN :
1464-3553
Publisher :
Oxford Univ Press, Oxford, United Kingdom
Volume :
31
Issue :
8
Pages :
753-762
Peer reviewed :
Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi
Funders :
NICHD - National Institutes of Health. Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development [US-MD] [US-MD]
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