Ultrasonic vocalizations

Cherry J. and Lepri J.J. (1986). Sexual dimorphism and gonadal control of ultrasonic vocalizations in adult pine voles Microtus pinetorum. Horn Behav 20, 34-48. 

Nyby J., Bigelow J., Kerchner M. and Barbehenn E (1983). Male mouse (Mus musculus) ultrasonic vocalizations to female urine why is heterosexual experience necessary Behav Neur Biol 38, 32-46. 

Shair H., Masmela J. and Hofer M. (1998). The influence of olfaction on potentiation and inhibition of ultrasonic vocalization of rat pups. Physiol Behav 65, 769-772. 

Ultrasonic vocalizations are emitted by rat pups (under the age of 14 days) when they are isolated from their mother, and are thought to reflect anxiety. This measure has proven sensitive to both anxiolytic and anxiogenic manipulation of GABA neurotransmission. However, the early developmental window used is problematic, in that chronic drug administration probably results in a variety of compensatory changes not seen in adulthood, and may alter development of relevant brain systems. Indeed, in contrast to the clinical situation, the antidepressant clomipramine has acute, but not chronic, anxiolytic efficacy in this model. 

Wysocki, 1989) reduces ultrasonic vocalizations by male mice when a female is present (Wysocki etal., 1982) and abolishes maternal aggression in primiparous female mice (Lepri etal., 1985). Deafferentiation of the VNO in male mice impairs sexual behavior. The effect is greatest if the male was deafferentiated before experience with any adult female (Clancy etal., 1984). Aggressive behavior in male mice is less reduced after deafferentiation of the VNO if they had had fighting experience (Daranzoet a /., 1983). 

In the golden hamster, the VNO is essential for certain reproductive behaviors, while the main olfactory system mediates responses that involve species recognition (Johnston, 1992 Table 5.2). As in mice, removal of the VNO impairs sexual behavior in male golden hamsters, but only if carried out before the animal had had sexual experience (Meredith, 1986). The same is true for ultrasonic vocalizations. 

Male mice learn about female cues. In the presence of females, a male emits ultrasonic vocalizations. These vocalizations become less frequent after extirpation of the VNO. The more experience a male has had with females, the smaller the deficit he suffers. The learning is mediated by interaction between the main olfactory system and the accessory olfactory system after vomeronasal deprivation, olfactory cues maintain the behavior (Wysocki etal., 1986). 

Pontet, A. and Schenk, F. (1988). Effects of conspecific odors on the activity and the ultrasonic vocalizations of the woodmouse, Apodemus sylvaticus, in a plus-maze during ontogeny. Sciences et Techniques del AnimaldeLaboratoire 13,105-109. 

Zielinski RJ, Roose SP, Devanand DP, et al Cardiovascular complications of ECT in depressed patients with cardiac disease. Am J Psychiatry 150 904-909, 1993 Zimmerberg B, Farley MJ Sex differences in anxiety behavior in rats role of gonadal hormones. Physiol Behav 54 1119-1124, 1993 Zimmerberg B, Brunelli SA, Hofer MA Reduction of rat pup ultrasonic vocalizations by the neuroactive steroid allopregnanolone. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 47 735-738, 1994... 

Kalinichev M, Holtzmann SG (2003) Changes in urina-tion/defecation, auditory startle response and startle-ultrasonic vocalizations in rats undergoing morphine... 

Lumley, L.A., M.L. Sipos, R.C. Charles, R.F. Charles and J.L. Meyerhoff. 1999. Social stress effects on territorial marking and ultrasonic vocalizations in mice. Physiol Behav 67(5) 769-75. 

Following our characterization of NL3 R451C mutants, mice lacking NL4 were also found to exhibit autism-related behavioral abnormalities including social interaction abnormalities and ultrasonic vocalizations (Jamain et al., 2008). The functional consequences of NL4 deletion on synapses have yet to be determined. 

Nyby, J., Wysocki, C. J., Whitney, G., Dizinno, G., and Schneider, J., 1979, Elicitation of male mouse (Mas musculus) ultrasonic vocalizations I. Urinary cues. J. Comp. Physiol. Psychol. 93 957-975. 

Geyer, L. A. 1979. Olfactory and thermal influences on ultrasonic vocalization during development in rodents. Amer. ZooL, 19,420-431. 

Bean, N. J., 1982, Olfactory and vomeronasal mediation of ultrasonic vocalizations in male mice. Physiol. Behav., 28 31. 

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