The structure and usage of female and male mouse ultrasonic vocalizations reveal only minor differences.

摘要: Ultrasonic vocalizations (USV) of mice are increasingly recognized as informative dependent variables in studies using mouse models human diseases. While pup primarily serve to re-establish contact with the mother, adult male “songs” were considered be courtship signals. Alternatively, USVs may generally function territorial To distinguish between these two hypotheses, we compared structure and usage female staged resident-intruder encounters. If calls signals, males should respond stronger than females, specifically when presented a intruder. Refuting this hypothesis, found that response intruders, females called more (228±32 calls/min vs. 71±15 calls/min), intruders (14±7.5 calls/min). There no significant differences acoustic characteristics given by males. control for influence intruder's behavior on calling, repeated experiments anaesthetized intruders. Again, produced (173±17 while (39±17 there calls. The vocal activity did not differ significantly regard intruder state (awake or anaesthetized), exhibited differences. Taken together, our findings support view do mainly although they might both (sex-independent) function. comparison responses awake suggests latter sufficient elicit activity. subtle differences, however, indicate subject differentiates states.