Pheromone-induced odor learning modifies Fos expression in the newborn rabbit brain.

摘要: Associative learning contributes crucially to adjust the behavior of neonates permanently changing environment. In European rabbit, mammary pheromone (MP) excreted in milk triggers sucking newborns, and additionally promotes very rapid initially neutral odor cues. Such stimuli become then as active MP itself elicit orocephalic motor responses involved suckling. this context, rabbit is an interesting model address question brain circuits early engaged by memory. Here, we evaluated activation (olfactory bulb central regions) induced 4-day-old pups odorant (ethyl acetoacetate, EAA) after single pairing with its subsequent acquired ability sucking-related (conditioned group) or mere exposure EAA alone (unconditioned group). The brain-wide mapping c-Fos expression was used compare neural patterns both groups. Evidence high immunostaining occurred mitral+granule cells layer main olfactory previously exposed association MP. These also showed higher Fos piriform cortex, hypothalamic lateral preoptic area amygdala (cortical basal nuclei). Thus, MP-induced induces modifications neonates. cerebral framework supporting acquisition appears however different compared circuit processing itself.