Fig. 8
Optogenetic inhibition of mPOA Esr1+ neurons disrupts male-typical mating in both sexes. a Schematics of the strategy to optogenetically inhibit mPOA Esr1+ neurons. b Representative images showing expression of GtACR1 as indicated by EGFP in Esr1+ neurons. Scale bar, 300 μm, top; 20 μm, bottom. c Electrophysiological recordings of GtACR1-expressing neurons. Action potentials induced by withholding the membrane potential −48 mW with a current injection of 25 pA were blocked under continuous blue light stimulation. d Quantification of firing rates before (pre), during (dur.), and after (post) light stimulation. N = 5 male cells and 5 female cells. Paired t test. e Light delivery was triggered when the tested animal was within one body length distance to the female stimulus. Number of social investigation, percentage of trials with mount behavior and number of mounts for GtACR1 and control males in light and no-light trials were plotted and compared. N = 10 EGFP and 17 GtACR1 males. f A 10 s light pulse was delivered after the initiation of mount. The distribution of mount (M) and pelvic thrust (PT), the cumulative distribution of mount duration and the percentage trials with mount transitioning into pelvic thrust were plotted and compared between EYFP and GtACR1 males. N = 7 EYFP and 9 GtACR1 males. g A 10 s light pulse was delivered after the initiation of pelvic thrust. The distribution of pelvic thrust (PT), the cumulative distribution of duration of pelvic thrust and the percentage trials with pelvic thrust terminating during light stimulation were plotted and compared between EYPF and GtACR1 males. N = 7 EYFP and 9 GtACR1 males. h Females were treated with subcutaneous injection of testosterone. Light delivery was triggered when the tested animal was within one body length distance to the female stimulus. Number of social investigation, percentage of trials with mount behavior, and number of mounts in GtACR1 and control females during light or no-light trials were plotted and compared. N = 5 EYFP and 9 GtACR1 females. In e and h, t test or Wilcoxon rank-sum test, left and right, Fisher’s exact test, middle. In f and g, two-sample ks-test, middle, unpaired t test, right. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001
