The medial amygdala as a key neural centre in maternal aggression: genetic, neural and behavioural analyses

2019

In rodents, as macrosmatic animals, chemosensory processing plays an instrumental role in guiding the expression of social, sexual and maternal behaviours. Social odours and pheromones are processed by the main and the accessory olfactory systems, which information converge mainly in the medial amygdala (Me). The Me, in turn, plays a central role in the vomeronasal–sensorimotor integration that leads to specific behavioural responses such as the above-mentioned social and maternal behaviours. Maternal behaviour comprises physiological and behavioural adaptations that help the dams to successfully raise their offspring. This behaviour is expressed in a wide range of vertebrate species and ca…