･By introducing a new Cre mice line for estrogen receptor beta (ERβ), we described the function of ERβ-expressing neurons in the posterodorsal part of the medial amygdala (MeApd-ERβ+) and characteristics of their neuronal activity during preference tests.
･Using fiber photometry and DREADD techniques we have found that MeApd-ERβ+ neurons have a specific role in receptivity-based (receptive female vs. nonreceptive female) preference but not in sex-based (receptive female vs. intact male) preference in male mice.
･We have also described this specific role of MeApd-ERβ+ neurons is achieved by regulating the neuronal activity of downstream BNSTp neurons during receptivity-based, but not sex-based, preference tests.
