Article
Biology
Kengo Ibuchi, Toshiki Nagayama
Summary: The study found that dopamine can regulate the agonistic behavior of crayfish, with injections of dopamine aiding smaller animals in winning conflicts while inhibiting larger animals. The inhibitory effect on larger animals is mediated by D1 receptors, while the facilitating effect on smaller animals is mediated by D2 receptors.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Lauren M. M. Harrison, Regina Vega-Trejo, Michael D. D. Jennions
Summary: Fight outcomes can impact male fitness and their investment into mating effort and ejaculates. We manipulated the experiences of male Gambusia holbrooki in terms of winning or losing to test how prior experiences affect these investments. Winners had better precopulatory outcomes than losers, but there were no differences in total sperm counts or sperm velocity. Absolute male size mediated the effect of winner-loser experiences on time spent with a female, suggesting a size-dependent response to social experiences.
AMERICAN NATURALIST
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xinlian Huang, Yuanyuan Fu, Wei Zhai, Xiaopeng Wang, Yueyue Zhou, Lei Liu, Chunlin Wang
Summary: In this study, the 5-HTR1 gene was isolated from the muscle tissue of Scylla paramamosain for the first time. The expression of 5-HTR1 was found to be highest in the neural system of the crab, and its expression levels were significantly upregulated after 5-HT injection. At the same time, the aggressive behavior of the crabs was enhanced. These results provide reference data for the genetic mechanism of aggressive behavior in crabs.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Developmental Biology
Marcia Rosula Poetini, Elize Aparecida Santos Musachio, Stifani Machado Araujo, Francielli Polet Almeida, Mustafa Munir Mustafa Dahleh, Vandreza Cardoso Bortolotto, Dieniffer Espinosa Janner, Franciane Cabral Pinheiro, Bruna Piaia Ramborger, Rafael Roehrs, Diogo La Rosa Novo, Marcia Foster Mesko, Gustavo Petri Guerra, Marina Prigol
Summary: Exposure to iron overload during the embryonic period in Drosophila melanogaster resulted in reduced hatch rates, abnormal behavior, and biochemical changes, indicating a direct impact of iron intake.
DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ken Sasaki, Hideto Yoshimura, Masakazu Nishimura
Summary: In this study, the storage and usage of dopamine-related substances in different castes of paper wasps were compared. The results showed that there were differences in head widths, lipid stores, and levels of biogenic amines in the brains between workers and gynes. The levels of dopamine precursors were higher in gynes, while dopamine and its metabolites did not differ between castes in most species. These findings suggest that dopamine precursors are stored in the brain without biosynthesis at emergence and then converted into dopamine during colony founding in Polistes species.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jamie L. Lim, Roy Augustinus, Jaap J. Plomp, Kasra Roya-Kouchaki, Dana L. E. Vergoossen, Yvonne Fillie-Grijpma, Josephine Struijk, Rachel Thomas, Daniela Salvatori, Christophe Steyaert, Christophe Blanchetot, Roeland Vanhauwaert, Karen Silence, Silvere M. van der Maarel, Jan J. Verschuuren, Maartje G. Huijbers
Summary: Muscle-specific kinase (MuSK) is crucial for neuromuscular junction (NMJ) function. Agonist monoclonal antibodies targeting MuSK Ig-like 1 domain showed potential in vitro, but failed to rescue myasthenia in vivo. Unexpectedly, MuSK agonists caused sudden death in male mice, hampering further development.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Nobuaki Mizumoto, Thomas Bourguignon, Nathan W. Bailey
Summary: Recent studies have found that the prevalence of same-sex sexual behavior is not simply due to mistaken identity, but involves mutual interactions and successful pairing between partners. Behavioral plasticity plays a crucial role in expressing same-sex behavior in such circumstances, as partners are able to modify their behavior to adapt to each other's sex. Through studying termites, it was discovered that stable same-sex pairings are achieved through behavioral plasticity, resulting in behavioral dimorphism. This dimorphism improves reunion success in case of accidental separation. A systematic literature survey and phylogenetic comparative analysis suggest that the ancestors of modern termites lacked consistent sex roles during pairing, indicating that this plasticity is inherited from ancestors. Therefore, socioenvironmental induction of ancestral behavioral potential may be of widespread importance to the expression of same-sex behavior.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Quentin Corbel, Claudia Londono-Nieto, Pau Carazo
Summary: A recent study on vinegar flies shows that male flies benefit from being exposed to female cues before mating, increasing mating duration. However, this perception of female cues does not have a significant effect on other aspects of male reproductive performance.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Masahiro Daimon, Takafumi Katsumura, Hirotaka Sakamoto, Satoshi Ansai, Hideaki Takeuchi
Summary: Mating experience affects male mating behavior in medaka fish, with initial mating enhancing activity towards familiar females but not unfamiliar ones. Experienced males showed no change in mating latency with the same partner. After initial mating, the brains of naive males showed differential expression of genes related to the thyroid hormone system activation.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Andrea J. J. Knop, Stephanie Spengler, Carsten Bogler, Carina Forster, Michael Brecht, John-Dylan Haynes, Christine Heim
Summary: This study used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to map the precise location of the female genital representation field in the primary somatosensory cortex (S1) in 20 adult women. The results showed that tactile stimulation of the clitoral region activated dorsolateral areas of S1 in an individually-diverse manner. Furthermore, the frequency of sexual intercourse was found to be correlated with structural thickness of the left genital field.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Behavioral Sciences
Darrell W. Brann, Yujiao Lu, Jing Wang, Quanguang Zhang, Roshni Thakkar, Gangadhara R. Sareddy, Uday P. Pratap, Rajeshwar R. Tekmal, Ratna K. Vadlamudi
Summary: This review provides a comprehensive overview of the localization, regulation, sex differences, and roles of brain-derived estrogen in various physiological and pathological processes. The research using specific inhibitors and knockout mouse models reveals that neuron-derived estrogen plays a critical role in synaptic plasticity, memory, socio-sexual behavior, sexual differentiation, reproduction, and neuroprotection. Astrocyte-derived estrogen is also induced after brain injury/ischemia and contributes to reactive gliosis and cognitive preservation.
NEUROSCIENCE AND BIOBEHAVIORAL REVIEWS
(2022)
Review
Behavioral Sciences
Gabriela Rodriguez-Manzo, Ana Canseco-Alba
Summary: The endocannabinoid system (ECS) plays a crucial role in regulating sexual behavior and sexual motivation. Sexual activity activates the mesolimbic dopaminergic system (MSL), and sustained sexual activity leads to sexual satiety. The cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1R) is found to be involved in the induction of sexual inhibitory state during sexual satiety.
FRONTIERS IN BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Meghan Pantalia, Zhi Lin, Samantha J. Tener, Bing Qiao, Grace Tang, Matthew Ulgherait, Reed O'Connor, Rebecca Delventhal, Julia Volpi, Sheyum Syed, Nissim Itzhak, Julie C. Canman, Maria de la Paz Fernandez, Mimi Shirasu-Hiza
Summary: In this study, the genetic loss of the enzyme Ebony in the model organism Drosophila melanogaster was investigated. It was found that ebony mutants exhibited increased aggressive behaviors, decreased courtship behaviors, and increased sleep. Surprisingly, direct measurement of amine neurotransmitters in ebony brains revealed reduced levels, indicating that increased aggression is not consistent with the neurotransmitter profile. Additionally, fights between ebony mutants were less likely to have a clear winner compared to fights between controls.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Review
Entomology
Margarita A. Bobrovskikh, Nataly E. Gruntenko
Summary: Short-term stress response is a vital survival mechanism for insects in adverse environments. This review discusses the neuroendocrine stress reaction in insects using the D. melanogaster model, focusing on the interaction between components of the insulin/insulin-like growth factors signaling pathway and other stress-related hormones. It provides a detailed scheme of their interaction and effect on carbohydrate and lipid metabolism under short-term heat stress, as well as the potential regulation mechanisms of metabolic behavior.
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Jhoniel Perdigon Ferreira, Stefan Luepold
Summary: Disadvantaged males can use parasitic mating tactics to compete for mates. Male Drosophila prolongata intercept courting rivals and steal females from them. This behavior is not linked to a specific morphology but depends on the condition and context of the males. The study of alternative reproductive tactics helps understand the maintenance of variation within and between species.
BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Farrah N. Madison, Verner P. Bingman, Tom Smulders, Christine R. Lattin
Summary: Although research on the avian hippocampus has been limited, it is crucial for understanding its evolution and changes over time. The avian hippocampus plays important roles in spatial cognition as well as regulating anxiety, approach-avoidance behavior, and stress responses. Future research should focus on elucidating the cellular and molecular mechanisms, including endocrinology, to resolve outstanding questions about avian hippocampal function and organization.
HORMONES AND BEHAVIOR
(2024)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Judith A. H. Smit, Riet Vooijs, Peter Lindenburg, Alexander T. Baugh, Wouter Halfwerk
Summary: This study investigates the effects of urbanization on hormone levels in tungara frogs and found that urban frogs and forest frogs have different endocrine phenotypes. Exposure to urban noise and light pollution led to an increase in testosterone and a decrease in corticosterone in urban frogs, while forest frogs showed no endocrine response to sensory pollutants. These results suggest that urbanization can modulate hormone levels and influence behavior in frogs.
HORMONES AND BEHAVIOR
(2024)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Hannah D. Fulenwider, Yangmiao Zhang, Andrey E. Ryabinin
Summary: Social hierarchies have significant effects on overall health of individuals in animal groups, particularly the lowest-ranking individuals. Tube test can be used to determine social rank in male and female mice, and the complex interactions between social rank, sex, environment, and testing length influence peptide levels.
HORMONES AND BEHAVIOR
(2024)