A meta-analysis of sex differences in neonatal rodent ultrasonic vocalizations and the implication for the preclinical maternal immune activation model
Abstract As the earliest measure of social communication in rodents, ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) in response to maternal separation are critical in preclinical research on neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). While sex differences in both USV production and behavioral outcomes are reported, many...
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2025-01-01
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| Series: | Biology of Sex Differences |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13293-025-00685-9 |
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| author | Alison M. Randell Stephanie Salia Lucas F. Fowler Toe Aung David A. Puts Ashlyn Swift-Gallant |
| author_facet | Alison M. Randell Stephanie Salia Lucas F. Fowler Toe Aung David A. Puts Ashlyn Swift-Gallant |
| author_sort | Alison M. Randell |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract As the earliest measure of social communication in rodents, ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) in response to maternal separation are critical in preclinical research on neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). While sex differences in both USV production and behavioral outcomes are reported, many studies overlook sex as a biological variable in preclinical NDD models. We aimed to evaluate sex differences in USV call parameters and determine if USVs are differently impacted based on sex in the preclinical maternal immune activation (MIA) model. Results indicate that sex differences in USVs vary with developmental stage and are more pronounced in MIA offspring. Specifically, developmental stage is a moderator of sex differences in USV call duration, with control females emitting longer calls than males in early development (up to postnatal day [PND] 8), but this pattern reverses after PND8. MIA leads to a reduction in call numbers for females compared to same-sex controls in early development, with a reversal post-PND8. MIA decreased call duration and increased total call duration in males, but unlike females, developmental stage did not influence these differences. In males, MIA effects varied by species, with decreased call numbers in rats but increased call numbers in mice. MIA timing (gestational day ≤ 12.5 vs. > 12.5) did not significantly affect results. Our findings highlight the importance of considering sex, developmental timing, and species in USVs research. We discuss how analyzing USV call types and incorporating sex as a biological variable can enhance our understanding of neonatal ultrasonic communication and its translational value in NDD research. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-bd9fa3080cbe447c96fe585eac1a0597 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2042-6410 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
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| series | Biology of Sex Differences |
| spelling | doaj-art-bd9fa3080cbe447c96fe585eac1a05972025-01-26T12:10:46ZengBMCBiology of Sex Differences2042-64102025-01-0116111910.1186/s13293-025-00685-9A meta-analysis of sex differences in neonatal rodent ultrasonic vocalizations and the implication for the preclinical maternal immune activation modelAlison M. Randell0Stephanie Salia1Lucas F. Fowler2Toe Aung3David A. Puts4Ashlyn Swift-Gallant5Department of Psychology, Memorial University of Newfoundland and LabradorDepartment of Psychology, Memorial University of Newfoundland and LabradorDepartment of Psychology, Memorial University of Newfoundland and LabradorDepartment of Psychology and Counseling, Immaculata UniversityDepartment of Anthropology, Pennsylvania State UniversityDepartment of Psychology, Memorial University of Newfoundland and LabradorAbstract As the earliest measure of social communication in rodents, ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) in response to maternal separation are critical in preclinical research on neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). While sex differences in both USV production and behavioral outcomes are reported, many studies overlook sex as a biological variable in preclinical NDD models. We aimed to evaluate sex differences in USV call parameters and determine if USVs are differently impacted based on sex in the preclinical maternal immune activation (MIA) model. Results indicate that sex differences in USVs vary with developmental stage and are more pronounced in MIA offspring. Specifically, developmental stage is a moderator of sex differences in USV call duration, with control females emitting longer calls than males in early development (up to postnatal day [PND] 8), but this pattern reverses after PND8. MIA leads to a reduction in call numbers for females compared to same-sex controls in early development, with a reversal post-PND8. MIA decreased call duration and increased total call duration in males, but unlike females, developmental stage did not influence these differences. In males, MIA effects varied by species, with decreased call numbers in rats but increased call numbers in mice. MIA timing (gestational day ≤ 12.5 vs. > 12.5) did not significantly affect results. Our findings highlight the importance of considering sex, developmental timing, and species in USVs research. We discuss how analyzing USV call types and incorporating sex as a biological variable can enhance our understanding of neonatal ultrasonic communication and its translational value in NDD research.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13293-025-00685-9Ultrasonic vocalizationsSex differencesPreclinical modelsMaternal separationNeurodevelopmental disordersAutism spectrum disorder |
| spellingShingle | Alison M. Randell Stephanie Salia Lucas F. Fowler Toe Aung David A. Puts Ashlyn Swift-Gallant A meta-analysis of sex differences in neonatal rodent ultrasonic vocalizations and the implication for the preclinical maternal immune activation model Biology of Sex Differences Ultrasonic vocalizations Sex differences Preclinical models Maternal separation Neurodevelopmental disorders Autism spectrum disorder |
| title | A meta-analysis of sex differences in neonatal rodent ultrasonic vocalizations and the implication for the preclinical maternal immune activation model |
| title_full | A meta-analysis of sex differences in neonatal rodent ultrasonic vocalizations and the implication for the preclinical maternal immune activation model |
| title_fullStr | A meta-analysis of sex differences in neonatal rodent ultrasonic vocalizations and the implication for the preclinical maternal immune activation model |
| title_full_unstemmed | A meta-analysis of sex differences in neonatal rodent ultrasonic vocalizations and the implication for the preclinical maternal immune activation model |
| title_short | A meta-analysis of sex differences in neonatal rodent ultrasonic vocalizations and the implication for the preclinical maternal immune activation model |
| title_sort | meta analysis of sex differences in neonatal rodent ultrasonic vocalizations and the implication for the preclinical maternal immune activation model |
| topic | Ultrasonic vocalizations Sex differences Preclinical models Maternal separation Neurodevelopmental disorders Autism spectrum disorder |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13293-025-00685-9 |
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