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Updated: Oct 4, 2025

Using a Comparative Species Approach to Investigate the Neurobiology of Paternal Responses

Using a Comparative Species Approach to Investigate the Neurobiology of Paternal Responses

Published on: September 19, 2011

Edinger-Westphal peptidergic neurons enable maternal preparatory nesting.

Thomas Topilko¹, Silvina L Diaz², Catarina M Pacheco¹

¹Sorbonne Université, Paris Brain Institute - ICM, INSERM, CNRS, AP-HP, Hôpital de la Pitié Salpêtrière, Paris, France.

|February 6, 2022

Summary

Maternal nesting behavior in mammals is crucial for offspring survival. This study identifies specific midbrain neurons that regulate nesting, linking them to progesterone and reproductive fitness.

Keywords:

CART CCK Edinger-Westphal light sheet microscopy nesting neuromodulation parental behaviors pregnancy progesterone tissue clearing

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Last Updated: Oct 4, 2025

Using a Comparative Species Approach to Investigate the Neurobiology of Paternal Responses

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Published on: September 19, 2011

Using Chronic Social Stress to Model Postpartum Depression in Lactating Rodents

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Published on: June 10, 2013

A Pipeline using Bilateral In Utero Electroporation to Interrogate Genetic Influences on Rodent Behavior

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Published on: May 21, 2020

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Reproductive Biology
Behavioral Science

Background:

Maternal behaviors, such as nesting, are critical for mammalian reproductive success.
Understanding the neural mechanisms underlying these adaptations is key to reproductive fitness.

Purpose of the Study:

To identify the neural circuits controlling maternal preparatory nesting behavior in mammals.
To elucidate the role of specific midbrain neurons in mediating progesterone's effects on nesting.

Main Methods:

Utilized immediate early gene mapping in mice to identify activated brain regions during nesting.
Employed genetic ablation and bidirectional neuromodulation to investigate the function of Edinger-Westphal nucleus neurons.
Performed in vitro and in vivo electrophysiological recordings to assess neuronal activity.

Main Results:

Nesting sequences strongly activated peptidergic neurons in the Edinger-Westphal nucleus (Edinger-Westphal nucleus) in pregnant mice.
These CART+ neurons are essential for modulating arousal before sleep, specifically promoting nesting behavior.
Demonstrated that these neurons mediate the behavioral effects of progesterone on preparatory nesting.

Conclusions:

Midbrain CART+ neurons play a vital role in maternal nesting behavior.
These neurons are critical mediators of progesterone's influence on reproductive adaptations.
Deciphers a key neural pathway essential for optimizing mammalian reproductive fitness.