The effects of local inhibition of N-methyl-D-aspartate and AMPA/kainate receptors in the accessory olfactory bulb on the formation of an olfactory memory in mice.
Female mice form a memory to the pheromones of the mating male, during a critical period after mating. Previous experiments have shown that this memory is located in the accessory olfactory bulb and most likely involves changes at the mitral/granule cell reciprocal synapse. Memory formation can be prevented by local infusions of a non-selective ionotropic glutamate receptor antagonist. However, selective antagonism of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors during the critical period did not disrupt the memory. The present study shows that memory formation is not prevented by local infusions of the AMPA/kainate receptor antagonist 6,7-dinitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione. Thus, it appears that the formation of a memory to the mating male can occur via both N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-dependent and independent mechanisms. Far from preventing memory formation, local infusions of 6,7-dinitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione resulted in the formation of a non-selective "memory" to unfamiliar male pheromones. In addition, local infusions of 6,7-dinitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione during pheromonal exposure alone resulted in memory formation without mating having occurred. These results suggest that activity via N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors might be more effective in promoting the synaptic changes underlying memory formation, than activity via AMPA/kainate receptors.
Brennan
P A
PA
Sub-Department of Animal Behaviour, University of Cambridge, U.K.
D015763:2-Amino-5-phosphonovalerate / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005327:Fetal Resorption / Q000503:physiopathology; D017774:Long-Term Potentiation; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009830:Olfactory Bulb / Q000502:physiology*; D010675:Pheromones / Q000502:physiology*; D011810:Quinoxalines / Q000494:pharmacology; D018091:Receptors, AMPA / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000502:physiology; D018092:Kainic Acid Receptors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000502:physiology; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000502:physiology; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology; D012903:Smell / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors
D015763:2-Amino-5-phosphonovalerate; D010675:Pheromones; D011810:Quinoxalines; D018091:Receptors, AMPA; D018092:Kainic Acid Receptors; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; C056723:FG 9041