In vivo vomeronasal stimulation reveals sensory encoding of conspecific and allospecific cues by the mouse accessory olfactory bulb

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0915147107
• Publication Date: 2010-03-02T04:55:41Z
• Authors: Y. Ben-Shaul; L. C. Katz; R. Mooney; C. Dulac
• Keywords: Vomeronasal organ; Stimulus (psychology)

The rodent vomeronasal system plays a critical role in mediating pheromone-evoked social and sexual behaviors. Recent studies of the anatomical molecular architecture organ (VNO) its synaptic target, accessory olfactory bulb (AOB), have suggested that unique features underlie sensory processing. However, neuronal representation pheromonal information leading to specific behavioral endocrine responses has remained largely unexplored due experimental difficulty precise stimulus delivery VNO. To determine basic rules processing system, we developed preparation allows controlled repeated VNO combined this approach with multisite recordings activity AOB. We found urine, well-characterized pheromone source mammals, as well saliva, activates AOB neurons manner reliably encodes donor animal's genetic status. also identified significant fraction respond robustly selectively predator cues, suggesting an expanded for both conspecific interspecific recognition. Further analysis reveals mixed stimuli from distinct sources evoke synergistic neurons, thereby supporting notion integrative chemosensory information.