Title: | Neural and Hormonal Basis of Opposite-Sex Preference by Chemosensory Signals |
Address: | "Department of Animal Sciences, Faculty of Life and Environmental Science, Teikyo University of Science, Uenohara 409-0193, Yamanashi, Japan" |
ISSN/ISBN: | 1422-0067 (Electronic) 1422-0067 (Linking) |
Abstract: | "In mammalian reproduction, sexually active males seek female conspecifics, while estrous females try to approach males. This sex-specific response tendency is called sexual preference. In small rodents, sexual preference cues are mainly chemosensory signals, including pheromones. In this article, we review the physiological mechanisms involved in sexual preference for opposite-sex chemosensory signals in well-studied laboratory rodents, mice, rats, and hamsters of both sexes, especially an overview of peripheral sensory receptors, and hormonal and central regulation. In the hormonal regulation section, we discuss potential rodent brain bisexuality, as it includes neural substrates controlling both masculine and feminine sexual preferences, i.e., masculine preference for female odors and the opposite. In the central regulation section, we show the substantial circuit regulating sexual preference and also the influence of sexual experience that innate attractants activate in the brain reward system to establish the learned attractant. Finally, we review the regulation of sexual preference by neuropeptides, oxytocin, vasopressin, and kisspeptin. Through this review, we clarified the contradictions and deficiencies in our current knowledge on the neuroendocrine regulation of sexual preference and sought to present problems requiring further study" |
Keywords: | "Animals Chemoreceptor Cells/drug effects/*physiology Female Male Neural Pathways/drug effects/*physiology Sex Attractants/*pharmacology Sexual Behavior, Animal/drug effects/*physiology neuropeptide olfactory epithelium olfactory nervous system pheromones;" |
Notes: | "MedlineKondo, Yasuhiko Hayashi, Himeka eng 21K06274/Japan Society for the Promotion of Science/ Review Switzerland 2021/08/08 Int J Mol Sci. 2021 Aug 2; 22(15):8311. doi: 10.3390/ijms22158311" |