Genomic imprinting mediates sexual experience-dependent olfactory learning in male mice.

Full Abstract

Mammalian imprinted genes are generally thought to have evolved as a result of conflict between parents; however, recent knockout studies suggest that coadaptation between mother and offspring may have been a significant factor. We present evidence that the same imprinted gene that regulates mammalian maternal care and offspring development also regulates male sexual behavior and olfaction. We have shown that the behavior of male mice carrying a knockout of the imprinted gene Peg3 does not change with sexual experience and that the mice are consequently unable to improve their copulatory abilities or olfactory interest in female odor cues after mating experience. Forebrain activation, as indexed by female odor-induced c-Fos protein induction, fails to increase with sexual experience, providing a neural basis for the behavioral deficits that the male mice display. The behavioral and neural effects of the Peg3 knockout show that this imprinted gene has evolved to regulate multiple and varied aspects of reproduction, from male sexual behavior to female maternal care, and the development of offspring. Moreover, sexual experience-driven behavioral changes may represent an adaptive response that enables males to increase their reproductive potential over their lifespan, and the effects we have found suggest that the evolution of genomic imprinting has been influenced by coadaptation between males and females as well as between females and offspring.

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Author information

Author/s: Swaney, William T (WT); Curley, James P (JP); Champagne, Frances A (FA); Keverne, Eric B (EB);

Affiliation: Sub-Department of Animal Behaviour, University of Cambridge, High Street, Madingley, Cambridge CB3 8AA, United Kingdom. wts2102(-atsign-)columbia.edu

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2007-Apr; vol 104 (issue 14) : pp 6084-9

Dates: Created 2007/04/04; Completed 2007/06/29; Revised 2008/11/20;

PMID: 17389373, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Animals
Cues
Genomic Imprinting
Learning - physiology
Male
Mice
Mice, Inbred C57BL

Mice, Knockout
Olfactory Pathways - physiology
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos - metabolism
Sex Characteristics
Sexual Behavior, Animal - physiology
Smell - genetics; physiology
Urine - physiology

Associated Chemicals: Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos (0)

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