Fig. 6: Olfactory preferences are not modified in WT mice exposed to chronic isolation or Shank3 KO mice.

A In the olfactory two-choice preference test, WT group (gray, n = 46, 28 males and 18 females) and WT isol (burgundy, n = 22, 13 males and 9 females) showed a preference for oxytocin (OT, 60 µg) over saline (both diluted in 1:1 saline and sex-matched urine) and for opposite sex urine (Usex) over saline. B KO group (turquoise; n = 16, 8 males and 8 females) and WT group (gray; n = 15, 7 males and 8 females) displayed no significant difference for OT preference (lower statistical power in WT group) while only WT group showed a preference for Usex. C KO group showed no difference in latency to sniff the paper with the Usex compared to WT group. D Interestingly, WT group (n = 20, 10 males and 10 females) showed a preference for urine from chronically isolated animals (Uisol) over urine from animals raised in groups (Ugroup). E The concentration of OT in both urine samples did not differ between conditions (Uisol, n = 5, 2 males and 3 females; Ugroup, n = 6, 3 males and 3 females). F In contrast, plasma levels of OT were increased in WT isol (n = 8, 5 males and 3 females) compared to WT group (n = 14, 6 males and 8 females). Data are presented as mean ± sd (Table S4). Kruskal-Wallis tests followed by Dunn post hoc tests were conducted, with asterisks indicating significant housing effects. *: p < 0.05, **: p < 0.01, ****: p < 0.0001. KO group, Shank3 KO raised in groups; OT, oxytocin; Ugroup, urine of mice raised in groups; Uisol, urine of mice exposed to 4-week chronic social isolation; Usex, urine of opposite sex mice; WT group, WT raised in groups; WT isol, WT exposed to 4-week chronic social isolation.