Cited by 148Olfactory and Sensory Function StudiesNeuroendocrine regulation and behaviorNeurobiology and Insect Physiology Research

Learned recognition of maternal signature odors mediates the first suckling episode in mice

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Logan, Darren W., Brunet, Lisa J., Webb, William R., Cutforth, Tyler, Ngai, John, Stowers, Lisa·2012·Current Biology

Abstract

Background Soon after birth, all mammals must initiate milk suckling to survive. In rodents, this innate behavior is critically dependent on uncharacterized maternally derived chemosensory ligands. Recently, the first pheromone sufficient to initiate suckling was isolated from the rabbit. Identification of the olfactory cues that trigger first suckling in the mouse would provide the means to determine the neural mechanisms that generate innate behavior.Results Here we use behavioral analysis, metabolomics, and calcium imaging of primary sensory neurons and find no evidence of ligands with intrinsic bioactivity, such as pheromones, acting to promote first suckling in the mouse. Instead, we find that the initiation of suckling is dependent on variable blends of maternal "signature odors" that are learned and recognized prior to first suckling.Conclusions As observed with pheromone-mediated behavior, the response to signature odors releases innate behavior. However, this mechanism tolerates variability in both the signaling ligands and sensory neurons, which may maximize the probability that this first essential behavior is successfully initiated. These results suggest that mammalian species have evolved multiple strategies to ensure the onset of this critical behavior.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.cub.2012.08.041

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Authors
Logan, D. W., Brunet, L. J., Webb, W. R., Cutforth, T., Ngai, J., & Stowers, L.
Affiliations
  • Scripps Research Institute (US)
  • University of California, Berkeley (US)
  • University of California, Irvine (US)
Corresponding author
Stowers, Lisa
Venue
Current Biology
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2012-11
Volume
22
Issue
21
Pages
1998-2007
ISSN
0960-9822 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2131074370
Cited by
148
References
69
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 15 · 2019: 10 · 2018: 17 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 11 · 2015: 14 · 2014: 16 · 2013: 14 · 2012: 1
FWCI
8.03
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Current Biology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • Wellcome Trust (098051)
  • National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (R01DC009413, R01DC006885)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Sensory Systems › Olfactory and Sensory Function Studies
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research
Keywords
innate behavior, pheromones, neonatal behavior, sensory neurons, olfactory signaling
MeSH terms
Amniotic Fluid, Animals, Animals, Suckling, Behavior, Animal, Cesarean Section, Cues, Female, Lactation, Learning, Mice, Inbred BALB C, Mice, Inbred C57BL, Odorants, Pheromones, Sensory Receptor Cells, Smell, Mice, Knockout, Recognition, Psychology, Mice, Cyclic Nucleotide-Gated Cation Channels, Metabolomics

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