Edinger-Westphal peptidergic neurons enable maternal preparatory nesting

Optimizing reproductive fitness in mammalians requires behavioral adaptations during pregnancy. Maternal preparatory nesting is an essential behavior for the survival of the upcoming litter. Brain-wide immediate early gene mapping in mice evoked by nesting sequences revealed that phases of nest construction strongly activate peptidergic neurons of the Edinger-Westphal nucleus in pregnant mice. Genetic ablation, bidirectional neuromodulation, and in vitro and in vivo activity recordings demonstrated that these neurons are essential to modulate arousal before sleep to promote nesting specifically. We show that these neurons enable the behavioral effects of progesterone on preparatory nesting by modulating a broad network of downstream targets. Our study deciphers the role of midbrain CART+ neurons in behavioral adaptations during pregnancy vital for reproductive fitness.

Automated summary

Research shows that behavioral adaptations, such as nesting, are crucial for reproductive fitness during pregnancy in mammals. A study on mice revealed that the construction of nests strongly activates peptidergic neurons in the Edinger-Westphal nucleus of pregnant mice. These neurons were found to modulate arousal before sleep to promote nesting, and facilitate the behavioral effects of progesterone on preparatory nesting by regulating a wide range of downstream targets.