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Molecular regulation of sexual preference revealed by genetic studies of 5-HT in the brains of male mice.
- Source :
- Nature; 4/1/2011, Vol. 472 Issue 7341, p95-99, 5p, 6 Graphs
- Publication Year :
- 2011
-
Abstract
- Although the question of to whom a male directs his mating attempts is a critical one in social interactions, little is known about the molecular and cellular mechanisms controlling mammalian sexual preference. Here we report that the neurotransmitter 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) is required for male sexual preference. Wild-type male mice preferred females over males, but males lacking central serotonergic neurons lost sexual preference although they were not generally defective in olfaction or in pheromone sensing. A role for 5-HT was demonstrated by the phenotype of mice lacking tryptophan hydroxylase 2 (Tph2), which is required for the first step of 5-HT synthesis in the brain. Thirty-five minutes after the injection of the intermediate 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), which circumvented Tph2 to restore 5-HT to the wild-type level, adult Tph2 knockout mice also preferred females over males. These results indicate that 5-HT and serotonergic neurons in the adult brain regulate mammalian sexual preference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 00280836
- Volume :
- 472
- Issue :
- 7341
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Nature
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 59837342
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1038/nature09822