Fig. 7
Model for how OSN and VSN subtypes become differentially abundant in SF and SM mice. a Very low (violet) or very high (yellow) levels of activity may shorten OSN/VSN lifespan, while a moderate (gray) level of activity may lengthen their lifespan. b An optimal range of neuronal activity may be required to maximize OSN/VSN lifespan. Distinct OSN/VSN subtypes may be affected differently by olfactory manipulation due to differences in their basal level of activity. c Schematic for how the distinct olfactory environments experienced by sex-separated females and males may induce differences in the abundance of OSN/VSN subtypes (for simplicity, only the use-it-and-lose-it mechanism is shown). Initially, an individual’s OSN/VSN populations contain neuron subtypes that are responsive to odors specific to female mice (pink circles), male mice (blue circles), or neither (gray). Upon sex separation of females (left) or males (middle), OSNs/VSNs that are responsive to female-specific or male-specific odors, respectively, are chronically stimulated and thus selectively depleted from the population. Under sex-combined conditions (right), OSNs/VSNs that are responsive to both female-specific and male-specific odors are chronically stimulated and depleted from the population
