Neuroscientists uncover sensory switches controlling infanticide and parental behaviour in mice

Multisensory Logic of Infant-Directed Aggression by Males. Yoh Isogai et al. Cell, Volume 175, issue 7, p1827-1841.e17, December 13, 2018. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2018.11.032

Highlights
    •    Reconstituted pup shape and chemosignals trigger aggression by virgin males
    •    Repertoire of seven VNO receptors activated by pups is also stimulated by adult cues
    •    Deletion of receptors to salivary protein and hemoglobin shows role in pup attack
    •    Complex recognition involves pup’s shape and chemosignals from infants and parents

Summary: Newborn mice emit signals that promote parenting from mothers and fathers but trigger aggressive responses from virgin males. Although pup-directed attacks by males require vomeronasal function, the specific infant cues that elicit this behavior are unknown. We developed a behavioral paradigm based on reconstituted pup cues and showed that discrete infant morphological features combined with salivary chemosignals elicit robust male aggression. Seven vomeronasal receptors were identified based on infant-mediated activity, and the involvement of two receptors, Vmn2r65 and Vmn2r88, in infant-directed aggression was demonstrated by genetic deletion. Using the activation of these receptors as readouts for biochemical fractionation, we isolated two pheromonal compounds, the submandibular gland protein C and hemoglobins. Unexpectedly, none of the identified vomeronasal receptors and associated cues were specific to pups. Thus, infant-mediated aggression by virgin males relies on the recognition of pup’s physical traits in addition to parental and infant chemical cues.


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Neuroscientists uncover sensory switches controlling infanticide and parental behaviour in mice
https://www.ucl.ac.uk/swc/sainsbury-wt-news-pub/neuroscientists-uncover-sensory-switches-controlling-infanticide-and-parental-behaviour-in-mice