Social Ultrasonic Vocalization in Awake Head-Restrained Mouse

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Animal Behavior
• Bioacoustics

Background:

• Vocal communication is crucial in many species, with neural mechanisms studied in various animals.
• Mice use ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) in social contexts, but their behavior and neural underpinnings are poorly understood.
• Investigating mouse USVs is vital for advancing mammalian neuroscience.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a method for studying mouse ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) in head-restrained male mice (HRMM).
• To characterize the USVs emitted by HRMM interacting with non-restrained female mice (NRFM).
• To establish criteria for predicting vocalization in head-fixed mice.

Main Methods:

• Recorded USVs from non-restrained male mice (NRMM) and NRFM in a free arena.
• Habituated NRMM to vocalize while head-restrained in the presence of NRFM.
• Analyzed spectral structure, syllable composition, and USV sequences of vocalizations.

Main Results:

• The majority of vocalizing NRMM could be habituated to vocalize while head-restrained with a female present.
• USVs emitted by HRMM are similar to those of NRMM in social contexts.
• HRMM exhibited a higher proportion of complex spectral USVs, indicating context-dependent vocalization.

Conclusions:

• Head-restrained male mice emit social USVs comparable to non-restrained mice.
• This method facilitates studying the neural control of social vocalizations in mice.
• Mouse USVs are context-dependent, offering insights into mammalian communication systems.