Sexually dimorphic dopaminergic circuits determine sex preference

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Behavioral Biology
• Neurobiology

Background:

• Sociosexual preference is vital for reproduction and survival.
• Neural underpinnings of social sex preference decisions are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the neural mechanisms controlling sociosexual preference in mice.
• To identify the role of ventral tegmental area dopaminergic (VTA^DA) neurons in mediating sex preference shifts.

Main Methods:

• Electrophysiological recordings in male and female mice.
• Analysis of VTA^DA neuron activity and projections.
• Behavioral assays assessing sociosexual preference under different conditions.

Main Results:

• Both male and female mice prefer females but shift to preferring males under survival threat.
• This preference shift is regulated by dimorphic changes in VTA^DA neuron excitability.
• Specific VTA^DA pathways (to NAc and MPOA) and firing patterns (phasic vs. tonic) differentially mediate these preferences in males and females.

Conclusions:

• VTA^DA neurons are a critical neural node for social decision-making regarding sociosexual preference.
• Sexually dimorphic dopamine circuits in the VTA regulate sociosexual preference based on survival context.