title: Rapid activation of phosphorylated mitogen-activated protein kinase after sexual stimulation in male mice.
abstract: We mapped cells immunoreactive for the phosphorylated form (p44/p42) of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (pMAPK--also known as ERK1/2) in the brain of male mice after exposure to female olfactory cues or after the display of male copulatory behaviors. Exposure to soiled bedding from estrous females or the display of coital behaviors rapidly (within 10 min) induced MAPK phosphorylation in most of the brain regions known to be involved in the processing of olfactory cues (main and accessory olfactory bulbs, amygdala, and medial preoptic area) and in the control of copulatory behavior (amygdala and medial preoptic area). MAPK phosphorylation thus seems to be a useful marker to study short-term neural activation associated with the expression of specific behaviors.
authors: Research Group in Behavioral Neuroendocrinology, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. m.taziaux@nin.knaw.nl
authors: Mélanie
authors: M
authors: Taziaux
authors: Matthieu
authors: M
authors: Keller
authors: Jacques
authors: J
authors: Balthazart
authors: Julie
authors: J
authors: Bakker
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000201:enzymology*; D004789:Enzyme Activation / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D008032:Limbic System / Q000201:enzymology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D048052:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 / Q000378:metabolism*; D010766:Phosphorylation / Q000502:physiology; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D012903:Smell / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D048052:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3