Gut bacteria may influence social behavior through smell
In a new study, Northwestern University neurobiologists discovered that gut bacteria and the nose work together to shape social behavior in mice, including who fights and who backs down. Using a combination of genetic and behavioral experiments, the scientists found gut microbes produce a pungent odor that other animals can smell. When detected, these scents trigger aggression and shape social hierarchies. The discovery reveals a previously unknown way the microbiome influences social interactions.
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