Posterior amygdala regulates sexual and aggressive behaviors in male mice.
Nat Neurosci
; 23(9): 1111-1124, 2020 09.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-32719562
ABSTRACT
Sexual and aggressive behaviors are fundamental to animal survival and reproduction. The medial preoptic nucleus (MPN) and ventrolateral part of the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMHvl) are essential regions for male sexual and aggressive behaviors, respectively. While key inhibitory inputs to the VMHvl and MPN have been identified, the extrahypothalamic excitatory inputs essential for social behaviors remain elusive. Here we identify estrogen receptor alpha (Esr1)-expressing cells in the posterior amygdala (PA) as a main source of excitatory inputs to the hypothalamus and key mediators for mating and fighting in male mice. We find two largely distinct PA subpopulations that differ in connectivity, gene expression, in vivo responses and social behavior relevance. MPN-projecting PAEsr1+ cells are activated during mating and are necessary and sufficient for male sexual behaviors, while VMHvl-projecting PAEsr1+ cells are excited during intermale aggression and promote attacks. These findings place the PA as a key node in both male aggression and reproduction circuits.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Comportamento Sexual Animal
/
Agressão
/
Tonsila do Cerebelo
/
Vias Neurais
Tipo de estudo:
Prognostic_studies
Limite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Nat Neurosci
Assunto da revista:
NEUROLOGIA
Ano de publicação:
2020
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Estados Unidos