Title: | A sex-specific feedback projection from aromatase-expressing neurons in the medial amygdala to the accessory olfactory bulb |
Author(s): | Inbar T; Davis R; Bergan JF; |
Address: | "Neuroscience and Behavior Graduate Program, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA. Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA" |
ISSN/ISBN: | 1096-9861 (Electronic) 0021-9967 (Print) 0021-9967 (Linking) |
Abstract: | "The accessory olfactory bulb (AOB) plays a critical role in classifying pheromonal signals. Here we identify two previously undescribed sources of aromatase signaling in the AOB: (1) a population of aromatase-expressing neurons in the AOB itself; (2) a tract of aromatase-expressing axons which originate in the ventral medial amygdala (MEA) and terminate in the AOB. Using a retrograde tracer in conjunction with a transgenic strategy to label aromatase-expressing neurons throughout the brain, we found that a single contiguous population of neurons in the ventral MEA provides the only significant feedback by aromatase-expressing neurons to the AOB. This population expresses the estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) and displayed anatomical sex differences in the number of neurons (higher in male mice) and the size of cell bodies (larger in females). Given the previously established relationship between aromatase expression, estrogen signaling, and the function of sexually dimorphic circuits, we suggest that this feedback population is well-positioned to provide neuroendocrine feedback to modulate sensory processing of social stimuli in the AOB" |
Keywords: | Amygdala/metabolism Animals Aromatase/metabolism Feedback Female Male Mice Neurons/metabolism *Olfactory Bulb/metabolism *Vomeronasal Organ/metabolism aromatase medial amygdala olfactory pheromones vomeronasal;Neuroscience; |
Notes: | "MedlineInbar, Tal Davis, Rachel Bergan, Joseph F eng R01 MH115094/MH/NIMH NIH HHS/ R01MH115094-01A1/MH/NIMH NIH HHS/ Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't 2021/08/21 J Comp Neurol. 2022 Feb; 530(3):648-655. doi: 10.1002/cne.25236. Epub 2021 Aug 27" |