Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 15, 2025
Using a Comparative Species Approach to Investigate the Neurobiology of Paternal Responses
Published on: September 19, 2011
Blocking olfactory input alters aggression in male and female California mice (Peromyscus californicus)
Janet K Bester-Meredith1, Jennifer N Burns1,2, Minh N Dang1,3
1Department of Biology, Seattle Pacific University, Seattle, Washington, USA.
Abstract:
Olfactory input into the brain can be disrupted by a variety of environmental factors, including exposure to pathogens or environmental contaminants. Olfactory cues are often eliminated in laboratory rats and mice through highly invasive procedures like olfactory bulbectomy, which may also disrupt accessory olfactory pathways and detection of non-volatile odors. In the present study, we tested whether inducing anosmia through intranasal infusion of zinc gluconate alters aggression in a monogamous, biparental rodent species, the California mouse (Peromyscus californicus). This less invasive method of manipulating olfaction selectively targets the olfactory epithelium and reduces the detection of volatile odors. Treatment with zinc gluconate extended the time required for male and female California mice to find hidden pieces of apple and reduced the amount of time spent investigating bedding that was soiled by unfamiliar males. Moreover, inhibition of olfaction with zinc gluconate reduced aggressiveness in both sexes as demonstrated by an increased attack latency in the resident-intruder test among same-sex dyads from the same treatment group. These results suggest that volatile olfactory cues are necessary for agonistic responses in both male and female California mice. Therefore, even in species with complex social systems that include territorial aggression and monogamy, volatile olfactory cues modulate agonistic behavior.
Insights
Anosmia induced by zinc gluconate in California mice reduced aggression and altered odor investigation behaviors. Volatile olfactory cues are crucial for agonistic responses in this monogamous rodent species.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral Ecology
- Sensory Biology
Background:
- Olfactory input is vital for brain function but can be disrupted by environmental factors.
- Invasive methods like olfactory bulbectomy can affect accessory pathways, impacting non-volatile odor detection.
- A less invasive method is needed to selectively target olfactory epithelium for studying volatile odor roles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of anosmia induced by zinc gluconate on aggression in California mice.
- To determine if volatile olfactory cues modulate agonistic behavior in a monogamous rodent species.
Main Methods:
- Inducing temporary anosmia via intranasal infusion of zinc gluconate in California mice.
- Assessing olfactory function by measuring time to find hidden food and investigating soiled bedding.
- Evaluating aggressiveness using the resident-intruder test in same-sex dyads.
Main Results:
- Zinc gluconate treatment impaired olfactory detection of volatile odors, evidenced by longer times to find food and reduced investigation of soiled bedding.
- Inhibition of olfaction significantly reduced aggressiveness in both male and female California mice, shown by increased attack latency.
- These findings highlight the necessity of volatile olfactory cues for agonistic responses.
Conclusions:
- Volatile olfactory cues are essential modulators of agonistic behavior in California mice, even within complex social systems.
- Intranasal zinc gluconate provides a less invasive method for studying the role of olfaction in behavior.
- Olfactory input significantly influences territorial aggression and social interactions in this biparental species.
