Esr1⁺ cells in the ventromedial hypothalamus control female aggression.

ABSTRACT: As an essential means of resolving conflicts, aggression is expressed by both sexes but often at a higher level in males than in females. Recent studies suggest that cells in the ventrolateral part of the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMHvl) that express estrogen receptor-α (Esr1) and progesterone receptor are essential for male but not female mouse aggression. In contrast, here we show that VMHvl^Esr1+ cells are indispensable for female aggression. This population was active when females attacked naturally. Inactivation of these cells reduced female aggression whereas their activation elicited attack. Additionally, we found that female VMHvl contains two anatomically distinguishable subdivisions that showed differential gene expression, projection and activation patterns after mati

SUBMITTER: Hashikawa K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5953764 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature