Immunity and ultrasonic vocalization in rodents

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Immunology
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) are crucial for rodent communication, mediating social interactions and responses to stimuli.
• The maternal immune activation (MIA) model in rodents is increasingly used to study neurodevelopmental disorders like autism spectrum disorder.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review existing literature on the relationship between the immune system and ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) in rodents.
• To evaluate the impact of immune system modulation on USV production and reception.

Main Methods:

• Review of studies, primarily focusing on the murine model of maternal immune activation.
• Analysis of research examining USVs in offspring following prenatal immune stimulation.
• Inclusion of limited studies on adult immunization and its effects on USVs.

Main Results:

• Prenatal immune stimulation in rodents significantly alters ultrasonic calling patterns in offspring.
• Evidence suggests a link between maternal immune activation and changes in pup USVs, potentially modeling aspects of human neuropsychiatric disorders.
• Studies on adult immunization show mixed results, often complicated by induced illness, making direct vocalization-immunity links unclear.

Conclusions:

• Immune system activation during pregnancy can influence offspring's ultrasonic vocalizations, highlighting a novel interaction between immunity and behavior.
• While promising, the field requires more research to establish definitive causal links between immunity and USVs, especially in adults.
• This research area offers new perspectives on understanding the interplay between immune responses and communication behaviors.