Fig. 3.

Lordosis behavior depends on the accessory olfactory system in female mice. a Lordosis behavior was strongly disrupted upon VNO removal, but only slightly after ablation of the MOE by infusion with a zinc sulfate solution (ZnSO₄). b Mating failed to activate RP3V kisspeptin neurons when both peripheral olfactory sensory input organs (VNOx/ZnSO₄) were ablated. Sham procedures were performed for each intervention as controls. No significant differences between control animals were found; therefore, all controls were combined into a single group. Bars represent the mean ± SEM. *P ≤ 0.05; **P ≤ 0.01; ***P ≤ 0.001; Dunn’s multiple comparison test; a n = 8/9/8/7; b n = 8/9/8/7. For all experimental details, see Supplementary Table 1