Representation of male features in the female mouse accessory olfactory bulb, and their stability during the estrus cycle.

ABSTRACT: Most behaviors result from integration of external and internal inputs. For example, social behavior requires information about conspecifics and internal physiological states. Like many other mammals, female mice undergo a reproductive cycle during which their physiology and behavioral responses to males change dramatically: during estrus, they are more receptive to male mating attempts. A critical element in reproductive behavior is the investigative stage, which in mice and many other species, strongly relies on chemosensation. While the initial approach mostly involves the main olfactory system (MOS), once physical contact is established, the vomeronasal system (VNS) is engaged to provide information about potential partners' characteristics. Given the estrus-stage-dependent behavioral

SUBMITTER: Cohen O 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12483509 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature