Article abstract
Nature Neuroscience 11, 949 - 956 (2008)
Published online: 20 July 2008 | doi:10.1038/nn.2154
Increased dopamine after mating impairs olfaction and prevents odor interference with pregnancy
Che Serguera1, Viviana Triaca1, Jakki Kelly-Barrett1, Mumna Al Banchaabouchi1 & Liliana Minichiello1
Abstract
In rodents, social odor sensing influences female reproductive status by affecting neuroendocrine cascades. The odor of male mouse urine can induce ovulation or block pregnancy within 3 d post coitus. Females avoid the action of such olfactory stimuli after embryonic implantation. The mechanisms underlying these changes are unknown. Here we report that shortly after mating, a surge in dopamine in the mouse main olfactory bulb impairs the perception of social odors contained in male urine. Treatment of females at 6.5 d post coitus with a dopamine D2 receptor antagonist restores social odor sensing and favors disruption of pregnancy by inhibition of prolactin release, when administered in the presence of alien male urine odors. These results show that an active sensory barrier blocks social olfactory cues detrimental to pregnancy, consistent with the main olfactory bulb being a major relay through which social odor modulates reproductive status.
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Mouse Biology Unit, Via Ramarini 32, 00015 Monterotondo, Italy.
Correspondence to: Liliana Minichiello1 e-mail: minichiello@embl.it
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