NS-Pten adult knockout mice display both quantitative and qualitative changes in urine-induced ultrasonic vocalizations

• Published in: Behavioural brain research Vol. 378; p. 112189
• Main Authors: Binder, Matthew S., Jones, Dalton G., Hodges, Samantha L., Lugo, Joaquin N.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 27-01-2020
• Subjects: Animals; Autism Spectrum Disorder - metabolism; Autism Spectrum Disorder - physiopathology; Call-types; Communication deficits; Disease Models, Animal; Male; Mice; Mice, Knockout; mTOR; PTEN Phosphohydrolase - deficiency; Scent marking; Social Behavior; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases - metabolism; Ultrasonics; Vocalization, Animal - physiology; mTOR; UV; Communication deficits; Scent marking; Call-types
• ISSN: 0166-4328; 1872-7549
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2019.112189

•NS-Pten KO mice display both quantitative and qualitative changes in USVs.•NS-Pten KO mice emit USVs of a lower peak frequency than WT mice.•NS-Pten KO’s emit USVs of a higher amplitude and shorter duration than WT mice.•Spectral analysis reveal NS-Pten KO mice produce different types of calls.
The NS-Pten knockout (KO) mouse exhibits hyperactivity of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and is a model of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). ASD presents with marked deficits in communication which can be elucidated by investigating their counterpart in mice, ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs). While USVs have been found to be altered in NS-Pten KO pups, no study has assessed whether this communication deficit persists into adulthood. In the present study, we investigate female urine-induced USVs, scent marking behavior, and open field activity in NS-Pten KO and wildtype (WT) adult male mice. Results showed that there was no difference in the quantity of vocalizations produced between groups, however, there were extensive alterations in the spectral properties of USVs. KO mice emitted vocalizations of a lower peak frequency, shorter duration, and higher peak amplitude compared to WT mice. KO animals also emitted a significantly different distribution of call-types relative to controls, displaying increased complex and short calls, but fewer upward, chevron, frequency steps, and composite calls. No significant differences between groups were observed for scent marking behavior and there was no difference between groups in the amount of time spent near the female urine. Overall, this study demonstrated that mTOR hyperactivity contributes to communication deficits in adult mice.