Abstract
Within the mammalian olfactory sensory epithelium, experience-dependent changes in the rate of neuronal turnover can alter the relative abundance of neurons expressing specific chemoreceptors. Here we investigate how the mouse olfactory sensory receptor repertoire changes as a function of exposure to odors emitted from members of the opposite sex, which are highly complex and sexually dimorphic. Upon housing mice either sex-separated or sex-combined until six months of age, we find that sex-separated mice exhibit significantly more numerous differentially expressed genes within their olfactory epithelia. A subset of these chemoreceptors exhibit altered expression frequencies following both sex-separation and olfactory deprivation. We show that several of these receptors detect either male- or female-specific odors. We conclude that the distinct odor experiences of sex-separated male and female mice induce sex-specific differences in the abundance of neurons that detect sexually dimorphic odors.
Highlights
Within the mammalian olfactory sensory epithelium, experience-dependent changes in the rate of neuronal turnover can alter the relative abundance of neurons expressing specific chemoreceptors
We sought to test whether olfactory tissues of male and female mice housed separately from members of the opposite sex for an extended period of time would display greater differences in the expression of chemoreceptors and other genes compared to males and females housed together
Based on previous studies[11], we predicted that the >5-month period of sex separation would be of sufficient length for experience-dependent changes in olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) subtype abundance to arise
Summary
Within the mammalian olfactory sensory epithelium, experience-dependent changes in the rate of neuronal turnover can alter the relative abundance of neurons expressing specific chemoreceptors. Studies to date indicate that changes in the relative numbers of OSN subtypes within the MOE require neuronal turnover and occur on a timescale of weeks to months[11,14] These changes appear to be distinct from a phenomenon that occurs on a timescale of hours that entails changes in the number of OR transcripts expressed within individual OSNs but not in the abundance of specific OSN subtypes[22]. Sex-combined male and female (CM and CF, respectively) mice are likely to have highly similar olfactory experiences and should display fewer differences in their profiles of OSN subtypes and gene expression. To test these predictions, we analyzed the MOE, VNO, and OB tissues from sex-separated and sex-combined mice via RNA-seq and histology. Results from this study may contribute to an enhanced understanding of sex-specific differences in olfactory function[41]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
