Dataset Information

Cross fostering experiments suggest that mice songs are innate.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Vocal learning is a central functional constituent of human speech, and recent studies showing that adult male mice emit ultrasonic sound sequences characterized as "songs" have suggested that the ultrasonic courtship sounds of mice provide a mammalian model of vocal learning.

Objectives

We tested whether mouse songs are learned, by examining the relative role of rearing environment in a cross-fostering experiment.

Methods and findings

We found that C57BL/6 and BALB/c males emit a clearly different pattern of songs with different frequency and syllable compositions; C57BL/6 males showed a higher peak frequency of syllables, shorter intervals between syllables, and more upward frequency modulations with jumps, whereas BALB/c males produced more "chevron" and "harmonics" syllables. To establish the degree of environmental influences in mouse song development, sons of these two strains were cross-fostered to another strain of parents. Songs were recorded when these cross-fostered pups were fully developed and their songs were compared with those of male mice reared by the genetic parents. The cross-fostered animals sang songs with acoustic characteristics--including syllable interval, peak frequency, and modulation patterns--similar to those of their genetic parents. In addition their song elements retained sequential characteristics similar to those of their genetic parents' songs.

Conclusion

These results do not support the hypothesis that mouse "song" is learned; we found no evidence for vocal learning of any sort under the conditions of this experiment. Our observation that the strain-specific character of the song profile persisted even after changing the developmental auditory environment suggests that the structure of these courtship sound sequences is under strong genetic control. Thus, the usefulness of mouse "song" as a model of mammalian vocal learning is limited, but mouse song has the potential to be an indispensable model to study genetic mechanisms for vocal patterning and behavioral sequences.

SUBMITTER: Kikusui T

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3052373 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Cross fostering experiments suggest that mice songs are innate.

Kikusui Takefumi T Nakanishi Kaori K Nakagawa Ryoko R Nagasawa Miho M Mogi Kazutaka K Okanoya Kazuo K

PloS one 20110309 3

<h4>Background</h4>Vocal learning is a central functional constituent of human speech, and recent studies showing that adult male mice emit ultrasonic sound sequences characterized as "songs" have suggested that the ultrasonic courtship sounds of mice provide a mammalian model of vocal learning.<h4>Objectives</h4>We tested whether mouse songs are learned, by examining the relative role of rearing environment in a cross-fostering experiment.<h4>Methods and findings</h4>We found that C57BL/6 and B ...[more]

PMID: 21408017

Similar Datasets

Project description:The maternal environment has been shown to influence female olfactory preferences through early chemosensory experience. However, little is known about the influence of the maternal environment on chemosignals. In this study, we used two inbred mouse strains, C57BL/6 (C57) and BALB/c (BALB), and explored whether adoption could alter male chemosignals and thus influence female olfactory preferences. In Experiment 1, C57 pups were placed with BALB dams. Adult BALB females then served as the subjects in binary choice tests between paired male urine odours (BALB vs. C57, BALB vs. adopted C57 and C57 vs. adopted C57). In Experiment 2, BALB pups were placed with C57 dams, and C57 females served as the subjects in binary choice tests between paired male urine odours (C57 vs. BALB, C57 vs. adopted BALB, and BALB vs. adopted BALB). In both experiments, we found that females preferred the urine of males from different genetic backgrounds, suggesting that female olfactory preferences may be driven by genetic compatibility. Cross-fostering had subtle effects on female olfactory preferences. Although the females showed no preference between the urine odours of adopted and non-adopted males of the other strain, the BALB females preferred the urine odour of BALB males to that of adopted C57 males, whereas the C57 females showed no preference between the urine odour of C57 and adopted BALB males. Using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and stepwise discriminant analysis, we found that the ratios of volatile chemicals from urine and preputial gland secretions were altered in the fostered male mice; these changes may have resulted in the behavioural changes observed in the females. Overall, the results suggest that female mice prefer urine odours from males with different genetic backgrounds; this preference may be driven by genetic compatibility. The early maternal environment influences the chemosignals of males and thus may influence the olfactory preferences of females. Our study provides additional evidence in support of genotype-dependent maternal influences on phenotypic variability in adulthood.

Project description:Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) has risen dramatically as a result of chronic exposure to sunlight ultraviolet (UV) radiation, climatic changes and clinical conditions associated with immunosuppression. In spite of considerable progress, our understanding of the mechanisms that control NMSC development and their associated molecular and immunological landscapes is still limited. Here we demonstrated a critical role for galectin-7 (Gal-7), a β-galactoside-binding protein preferentially expressed in skin tissue, during NMSC development. Transgenic mice (Tg46) overexpressing Gal-7 in keratinocytes showed higher number of papillomas compared to WT mice or mice lacking Gal-7 (Lgals7-/-) when subjected to a skin carcinogenesis protocol, in which tumor initiator 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) and tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) were sequentially administered. RNAseq analysis of Tg46 tumor lesions revealed a unique profile compatible with cells of the myelomonocytic lineage infiltrating these tumors, an effect that was substantiated by a higher number of CD11b+Gr1+ cells in tumor-draining lymph nodes. Heightened c-Met activation and Cxcl-1 expression in Tg46 lesions suggested a contribution of this pathway to the recruitment of these cells. Remarkably, Gal-7 bound to the surface of CD11b+Ly6ChiLy6Glo monocytic myeloid cells and enhanced their immunosuppressive activity, as evidenced by increased IL-10 and TGF-β1 secretion, and higher T-cell inhibitory activity. In vivo, carcinogen-treated Lgals7-/- animals adoptively transferred with Gal-7-conditioned monocytic myeloid cells developed higher number of papillomas, whereas depletion of these cells in Tg46-treated mice led to reduction in the number of tumors. Finally, human NMSC biopsies showed increased LGALS7 mRNA and Gal-7 protein expression and displayed transcriptional profiles associated with myeloid programs, accompanied by elevated CXCL1 expression and c-Met activation. Thus, Gal-7 emerges as a critical mediator of skin carcinogenesis and a potential therapeutic target in human NMSC.

Dataset Information

Cross fostering experiments suggest that mice songs are innate.

Background

Objectives

Methods and findings

Conclusion

Publications

Cross fostering experiments suggest that mice songs are innate.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets