Sexual behavior mating system

Abstract In this chapter, we review recent data about the involvement of both the main and the accessory olfactory system in mate recognition and the control of sexual behavior in mice. Whereas the main olfactory system seems to play a central role in mate recognition in both male and female mice, clear sex differences emerge with regard to which olfactory system plays a more important role in the control of sexual behavior. Indeed, the main but not the accessory olfactory system seems to be more important in regulating sexual behavior in male mice, whereas in female mice, the accessory olfactory system seems to play a critical role in the control of mating. 

Main vs Accessory Olfactory System in Mate Recognition and Sexual Behavior... 

Questions clearly remain about which olfactory system is more important in mate recognition and in sexual behavior in mice. To address these issues, we conducted a series of experiments to systematically assess the role of either olfactory system in mate recognition and sexual behavior. Our main results are summarized here. 

Studies of c-fos expression in the accessory olfactory system have been performed almost exclusively in the context of sexual behavior of animals (Fiber, Adames Swann, 1993 Schellinck, Smyth, Brown Wilkinson, 1993 Baum, Brown, Kica, Rubin, Johnson Papaioannou, 1994 Femandez-Fewell and Meredith, 1994 Rajendren and Moss, 1994 Bressler and Baum, 1996). Many studies show that c-fos is expressed in the vomeronasal projection circuit (i.e. the anterior olfactory bulb, the medial amygdala, the posterior medial bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, or the medial preoptic area) after mating behavior. Importantly, there have been no reports of specific c-fos expression in the VNO. 

Wellborn GA, Cothran RD (2007) Evolution and ecology of mating behavior in freshwater amphipods. In Duffy JE, Thiel M (eds) Evolutionary ecology of social and sexual systems -crustaceans as model organisms. Oxford University Press, New York, pp 147-166... 

---