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Nerio-Morales LK, Boender AJ, Young LJ, Lamprea MR, Smith AS. Limbic oxytocin receptor expression alters molecular signaling and social avoidance behavior in female prairie voles ( Microtus ochrogaster). Front Neurosci 2024; 18:1409316. [PMID: 39081850 PMCID: PMC11286410 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1409316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction The social defeat paradigm is the most representative animal model to study social anxiety disorder (SAD) and its underlying neuronal mechanisms. We have previously reported that defeat progressively reduces oxytocin receptors (OXTR) in limbic regions of the brain over an eight-week period in female prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster). Oxytocin receptors activate the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, which has been previously associated with the anxiolytic effects of oxytocin. Here, we assessed the functional significance of OXTR in stress-induced social avoidance and the response of the MAPK signaling pathway in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), and basolateral amygdala (BLA) of female prairie voles. Methods In experiment 1, Sexually naïve adult female prairie voles were defeated for three consecutive days and tested a week after for social preference/avoidance (SPA) test. Control subjects were similarly handled without defeat conditioning. In experiment 2, sexually and stress naïve adult female prairie voles were bilaterally injected into the NAc, ACC, or the BLA with a CRISPR/Cas9 virus targeting the Oxtr coding sequence to induce OXTR knockdown. Two weeks post-surgery, subjects were tested for SPA behavior. Viral control groups were similarly handled but injected with a control virus. A subgroup of animals from each condition in both experiments were similarly treated and euthanized without being tested for SPA behavior. Brains were harvested for OXTR autoradiography, western blot analysis of MAPK proteins and quantification of local oxytocin content in the NAc, BLA, ACC, and PVN through ELISA. Results Social defeat reduced OXTR binding in the NAc and affected MAPK pathway activity and oxytocin availability. These results were region-specific and sensitive to exposure to the SPA test. Additionally, OXTR knockdown in the NAc, ACC, and BLA induced social avoidance and decreased basal MAPK activity in the NAc. Finally, we found that OXTR knockdown in these regions was associated with less availability of oxytocin in the PVN. Conclusion Dysregulation of the oxytocin system and MAPK signaling pathway in the NAc, ACC, and BLA are important in social behavior disruptions in female voles. This dysregulation could, therefore, play an important role in the etiology of SAD in women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina K. Nerio-Morales
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United States
| | - Arjen J. Boender
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Center for Translational Social Neuroscience, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Larry J. Young
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Center for Translational Social Neuroscience, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Marisol R. Lamprea
- Department of Psychology, School of Human Sciences, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Adam S. Smith
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United States
- Program in Neuroscience, School of Pharmacy, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United States
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dos Santos Gauy AC, Bolognesi MC, Gonçalves-de-Freitas E. Long-term body tactile stimulation reduces aggression and improves productive performance in Nile tilapia groups. Sci Rep 2022; 12:20239. [PMID: 36424460 PMCID: PMC9691712 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-24696-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
One concern of the Anthropocene is the effects of human activities on animal welfare, revealing the urgency to mitigate impacts of rearing environments. Body tactile stimulation (TS), like massage therapy, has emerged as an enrichment method to counteract stress and anxiety in vertebrates. In the current study, we evaluated the effects of long-term TS on four-member groups of male Nile tilapia, a worldwide reared species whose socially aggressive behavior is an essential source of stress. We placed a rectangular PVC frame fitted with vertical plastic sticks sided with silicone bristles in the center of aquarium to enable the fish to receive body TS when passing through the bristles. A similar apparatus without bristles was used as the control. Fish subjected to TS for 21 days showed a gradual lowering of overt fights over time, but with no reduction in cortisol or androgen levels. Nevertheless, TS improved the specific growth rate, maintained balanced length/weight gain, and increased feed efficiency, probably owing to the lowered energy expenditure during fights. Thus, we show for the first time that long-term TS provided by a simple device can be used as a tool to improve the welfare and productive performance of territorial fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Carolina dos Santos Gauy
- grid.410543.70000 0001 2188 478XDepartamento de Ciências Biológicas, Instituto de Biociências, Letras e Ciências Exatas, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Rua Cristóvão Colombo, 2265, São José do Rio Preto, SP 15054-000 Brazil ,CAUNESP-Centro de Aquicultura da UNESP, Jaboticabal, SP Brazil
| | - Marcela Cesar Bolognesi
- grid.410543.70000 0001 2188 478XDepartamento de Ciências Biológicas, Instituto de Biociências, Letras e Ciências Exatas, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Rua Cristóvão Colombo, 2265, São José do Rio Preto, SP 15054-000 Brazil ,CAUNESP-Centro de Aquicultura da UNESP, Jaboticabal, SP Brazil
| | - Eliane Gonçalves-de-Freitas
- grid.410543.70000 0001 2188 478XDepartamento de Ciências Biológicas, Instituto de Biociências, Letras e Ciências Exatas, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Rua Cristóvão Colombo, 2265, São José do Rio Preto, SP 15054-000 Brazil ,CAUNESP-Centro de Aquicultura da UNESP, Jaboticabal, SP Brazil
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Kashash Y, Smarsh G, Zilkha N, Yovel Y, Kimchi T. Alone, in the dark: The extraordinary neuroethology of the solitary blind mole rat. eLife 2022; 11:78295. [PMID: 35674717 PMCID: PMC9177142 DOI: 10.7554/elife.78295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
On the social scale, the blind mole rat (BMR; Spalax ehrenbergi) is an extreme. It is exceedingly solitary, territorial, and aggressive. BMRs reside underground, in self-excavated tunnels that they rarely leave. They possess specialized sensory systems for social communication and navigation, which allow them to cope with the harsh environmental conditions underground. This review aims to present the blind mole rat as an ideal, novel neuroethological model for studying aggressive and solitary behaviors. We discuss the BMR's unique behavioral phenotype, particularly in the context of 'anti-social' behaviors, and review the available literature regarding its specialized sensory adaptations to the social and physical habitat. To date, the neurobiology of the blind mole rat remains mostly unknown and holds a promising avenue for scientific discovery. Unraveling the neural basis of the BMR's behavior, in comparison to that of social rodents, can shed important light on the underlying mechanisms of psychiatric disorders in humans, in which similar behaviors are displayed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yael Kashash
- Department of Brain Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Grace Smarsh
- Department of Brain Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.,School of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Noga Zilkha
- Department of Brain Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Yossi Yovel
- School of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Tali Kimchi
- Department of Brain Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
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4
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Effects of early life adversities upon memory processes and cognition in rodent models. Neuroscience 2022; 497:282-307. [PMID: 35525496 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2022.04.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Revised: 04/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to stressors in early postnatal life induces long-lasting modifications in brainfunction.Thisplasticity,an essential characteristic of the brain that enables adaptation to the environment, may also induce impairments in some psychophysiological functions, including learning and memory. Early life stress (ELS) has long-term effects on thehypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axisresponse to stressors, and has been reported to lead toneuroinflammation,altered levelsof neurotrophic factors, modifications inneurogenesis andsynaptic plasticity,with changes in neurotransmitter systems and network functioning. In this review, we focus on early postnatal stress in animal models and their effects on learning and memory.Many studies have reported ELS-induced impairments in different types of memories, including spatial memory, fear memory, recognition (both for objects and social) memory, working memory and reversal learning. Studies are not always in agreement, however, no effects, or sometimes facilitation, being reported, depending on the nature and intensity of the early intervention, as well as the age when the outcome was evaluated and the sex of the animals. When considering processes occurring after consolidation, related with memory maintenance or modification, there are a very reduced number of reports. Future studies addressing the mechanisms underlying memory changes for ELS should shed some light on the understanding of the different effects induced by stressors of different types and intensities on cognitive functions.
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Patterson SK, Strum SC, Silk JB. Early life adversity has long-term effects on sociality and interaction style in female baboons. Proc Biol Sci 2022; 289:20212244. [PMID: 35105243 PMCID: PMC8808103 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2021.2244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Social bonds enhance fitness in many group-living animals, generating interest in the processes that create individual variation in sociality. Previous work on female baboons shows that early life adversity and temperament both influence social connectedness in adulthood. Early life adversity might shape sociality by reducing ability to invest in social relationships or through effects on attractiveness as a social partner. We examine how females' early life adversity predicts sociality and temperament in wild olive baboons, and evaluate whether temperament mediates the relationship between early life adversity and sociality. We use behavioural data on 31 females to quantify sociality. We measure interaction style as the tendency to produce grunts (signals of benign intent) in contexts in which the vocalization does not produce immediate benefits to the actor. Early life adversity was negatively correlated with overall sociality, but was a stronger predictor of social behaviours received than behaviours initiated. Females who experienced less early life adversity had more benign interaction styles and benign interaction styles were associated with receiving more social behaviours. Interaction style may partially mediate the association between early life adversity and sociality. These analyses add to our growing understanding of the processes connecting early life experiences to adult sociality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sam K. Patterson
- Department of Anthropology, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Shirley C. Strum
- Department of Anthropology, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA,Uaso Ngiro Baboon Project, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Joan B. Silk
- School of Human Evolution and Social Change, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA,Institute for Human Origins, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
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Joushi S, Taherizadeh Z, Esmaeilpour K, Sheibani V. Environmental enrichment and intranasal oxytocin administration reverse maternal separation-induced impairments of prosocial choice behavior. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2021; 213:173318. [PMID: 34974063 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2021.173318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Adverse early life experiences influence behavioral and physiological functions and increase vulnerability to neuropsychiatric disorders. Maternal separation (MS) is an established animal model that reproduces the features of chronic stress or adverse experiences during early life. Previous studies have been shown that MS may lead to impairments of social behaviors. Here, we investigated the effects of MS on mutual reward preferences in a double T-maze prosocial choice task. Since enriched environment (EE) and intranasal oxytocin (OT) administration have beneficial effects on cognition and social behaviors, in the present study we tested whether these treatments, alone or in combination, would affect prosocial behavior of rats which underwent MS during infancy. Rat pups underwent MS paradigm for 180 min/day from postnatal day (PND) 1-21. From PND 22-34, rats were exposed to an EE and/or received intranasal OT (2 μg/μl, 7 days). Hence, the 8 groups consisted of control (CTRL), MS, CTRL+EE, CTRL+OT and the saline groups. Assessment of prosocial choice behavior was started in adolescence. MS impaired prosocial choice behavior and reduced mutual reward preferences. Getting exposed to EE and intranasal OT administration could overcome MS-induced deficits and promoted mutual reward preferences of MS rats. Combination of short-term EE and OT strengthened prosocial behavior. Obtained results showed that EE and OT may be considered as profitable therapeutic approaches for promoting some aspects of social behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Joushi
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Zahra Taherizadeh
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Khadijeh Esmaeilpour
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran; Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Vahid Sheibani
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
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7
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Onaka T, Takayanagi Y. The oxytocin system and early-life experience-dependent plastic changes. J Neuroendocrinol 2021; 33:e13049. [PMID: 34713517 PMCID: PMC9286573 DOI: 10.1111/jne.13049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Revised: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Early-life experience influences social and emotional behaviour in adulthood. Affiliative tactile stimuli in early life facilitate the development of social and emotional behaviour, whereas early-life adverse stimuli have been shown to increase the risk of various diseases in later life. On the other hand, oxytocin has been shown to have organizational actions during early-life stages. However, the detailed mechanisms of the effects of early-life experience and oxytocin remain unclear. Here, we review the effects of affiliative tactile stimuli during the neonatal period and neonatal oxytocin treatment on the activity of the oxytocin-oxytocin receptor system and social or emotional behaviour in adulthood. Both affiliative tactile stimuli and early-life adverse stimuli in the neonatal period acutely activate the oxytocin-oxytocin receptor system in the brain but modulate social behaviour and anxiety-related behaviour apparently in an opposite direction in adulthood. Accumulating evidence suggests that affiliative tactile stimuli and exogenous application of oxytocin in early-life stages induce higher activity of the oxytocin-oxytocin receptor system in adulthood, although the effects are dependent on experimental procedures, sex, dosages and brain regions examined. On the other hand, early-life stressful stimuli appear to induce reduced activity of the oxytocin-oxytocin receptor system, possibly leading to adverse actions in adulthood. It is possible that activation of a specific oxytocin system can induce beneficial actions against early-life maltreatments and thus could be used for the treatment of developmental psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatsushi Onaka
- Division of Brain and NeurophysiologyDepartment of PhysiologyJichi Medical UniversityTochigiJapan
| | - Yuki Takayanagi
- Division of Brain and NeurophysiologyDepartment of PhysiologyJichi Medical UniversityTochigiJapan
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8
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9
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Norholt H. Delivering Clinically on Our Knowledge of Oxytocin and Sensory Stimulation: The Potential of Infant Carrying in Primary Prevention. Front Psychol 2021; 11:590051. [PMID: 33995157 PMCID: PMC8116555 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.590051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxytocin (OT) is one of the most intensively researched neuropeptides during the three past decades. In benign social contexts, OT exerts a range of desirable socioemotional, stress-reducing, and immunoregulatory effects in mammals and humans and influences mammalian parenting. Consequentially, research in potential pharmacological applications of OT toward human social deficits/disorders and physical illness has increased substantially. Regrettably, the results from the administration of exogenous OT are still relatively inconclusive. Research in rodent maternal developmental programming has demonstrated the susceptibility of offspring endogenous OT systems to maternal somatosensory stimulation, with consequences for behavioral, epigenetic, cognitive, and neurological outcomes. A translation of this animal research into practically feasible human parenting recommendations has yet to happen, despite the significant prevention potential implied by the maternal developmental programming research. Extended physical contact with full-term healthy infants in the months following birth (infant carrying) might constitute the human equivalent of those specific rodent maternal behaviors, found to positively influence emerging OT systems. Findings from both OT and maternal programming research parallel those found for infants exposed to such extended parental physical contact, whether through skin-to-skin contact or infant carrying. Clinical support of parents to engage in extended physical contact represents a feasible intervention to create optimum conditions for the development of infant OT systems, with potential beneficial long-term health effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henrik Norholt
- SomAffect - The Somatosensory & Affective Neuroscience Group, Liverpool, United Kingdom
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10
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Kompier NF, Keysers C, Gazzola V, Lucassen PJ, Krugers HJ. Early Life Adversity and Adult Social Behavior: Focus on Arginine Vasopressin and Oxytocin as Potential Mediators. Front Behav Neurosci 2019; 13:143. [PMID: 31404254 PMCID: PMC6676334 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2019.00143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2019] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Exposure to stress during the early postnatal period (i.e., early life stress, ES) can impact brain physiology and modify individual variability in adult social behavior. Arginine vasopressin (AVP) and oxytocin (OXT) are two centrally released neuropeptides that are involved in shaping essential social behaviors, like aggression, social recognition, and social motivation. AVP and OXT modulate activity in brain regions important for the establishment of social behavior, and may be particularly sensitive to ES. In this review, we discuss whether ES alters the characteristics of the AVP- and OXT- systems in rodents, and whether these changes are associated with later alterations in aggression, social recognition, and social motivation. We have integrated causal studies indicating that (1) ES affects AVP/OXT, and (2) that changing AVP/OXT in affected regions alters social behavior. Although there is encouraging evidence that ES causes AVP- and OXT-system changes, and that these may mediate social behavior, a comprehensive understanding of the exact nature of AVP- and OXT changes and whether they are causal in establishing these behavioral disturbances needs further investigation. As there are indications that ES alters AVP- and OXT characteristics in humans as well, and that these may interact with adult predisposition to psychopathology with social dysfunction, future rodent studies may lay ground for a better understanding of such changes in humans. Ultimately, this may assist in developing therapeutic strategies to target ES effects on social behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nine F. Kompier
- Brain Plasticity Group, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Center for Neuroscience, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Social Brain Lab, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Christian Keysers
- Social Brain Lab, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Valeria Gazzola
- Social Brain Lab, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Paul J. Lucassen
- Brain Plasticity Group, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Center for Neuroscience, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Harmen J. Krugers
- Brain Plasticity Group, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Center for Neuroscience, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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11
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Effect of early maternal separation stress on attention, spatial learning and social interaction behaviour. Exp Brain Res 2019; 237:1993-2010. [DOI: 10.1007/s00221-019-05567-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2018] [Accepted: 05/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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12
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He Z, Young L, Ma XM, Guo Q, Wang L, Yang Y, Luo L, Yuan W, Li L, Zhang J, Hou W, Qiao H, Jia R, Tai F. Increased anxiety and decreased sociability induced by paternal deprivation involve the PVN-PrL OTergic pathway. eLife 2019; 8:44026. [PMID: 31084703 PMCID: PMC6516825 DOI: 10.7554/elife.44026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2018] [Accepted: 04/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Early adverse experiences often have devastating consequences. However, whether preweaning paternal deprivation (PD) affects emotional and social behaviors and their underlying neural mechanisms remain unexplored. Using monogamous mandarin voles, we found that PD increased anxiety-like behavior and attenuated social preference in adulthood. PD also decreased the number of oxytocin (OT)-positive neurons projecting from the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and reduced the levels of the medial prefrontal cortex OT receptor protein in females and of the OT receptor and V1a receptor proteins in males. Intra-prelimbic cortical OT injections reversed the PD-induced changes in anxiety-like behavior and social preferences. Optogenetic activation of the prelimbic cortex OT terminals from PVN OT neurons reversed the PD-induced changes in emotion and social preference behaviors, whereas optogenetic inhibition was anxiogenic and impaired social preference in naive voles. These findings demonstrate that PD increases anxiety-like behavior and attenuates social preferences through the involvement of PVN OT neuron projections to the prelimbic cortex. Parental care early in life is essential for normal development of the brain in humans and some other animals. It also lays the ground work for healthy behaviors later in life. Many studies have looked at the importance of a mother’s care, but less attention has been paid to the role played by fathers. Research shows that children who grow up without a father are at risk of emotional and behavioral problems later in life. But it is not clear how missing a father’s care affects brain development. Oxytocin, a chemical produced by a part of the brain called the paraventricular nucleus, plays a key role in parental bonding. Another part of the brain called the prelimbic cortex regulates many emotions and many complex behaviors. Studying animals, like the mandarin vole, that form strong bonds with both parents is one way to learn more about how the loss of paternal care affects oxytocin or emotional and behavioral health. Now, He et al. show that mandarin voles raised without a father are more anxious and socialize less with other voles than those raised with a father. The voles deprived of paternal care also have fewer oxytocin-producing cells in the paraventricular nucleus and fewer receptors for oxytocin in the prelimbic cortex. Injecting oxytocin into the prelimbic cortex eliminated the anxious and antisocial behavior seen in the voles lacking paternal care. Using a technique called optogenetics to restore the release of oxytocin in the prelimbic cortex reduced anxious behavior and restored normal social interactions. Using the same approach to interfere with communication between the paraventricular nucleus and prelimbic cortex in voles raised with a father also triggered anxious and antisocial behavior. The experiments reveal that fathers play an important role in brain and behavioral development in mandarin voles. He et al. show that a lack of paternal care leads to deficits in oxytocin and a poor communication between the paraventricular nucleus and prelimbic cortex that contribute to emotional and social abnormalities in the voles. More studies are needed to determine father’s care has similar effects in humans. But if this relationship is confirmed, it might lead scientists to develop new strategies for treating psychiatric disorders in people deprived of paternal care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhixiong He
- Institute of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Larry Young
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Silvio O. Conte Center for Oxytocin and Social Cognition, Center for Translational Social Neuroscience, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, United States.,Center for Social Neural Networks, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Xin-Ming Ma
- Institute of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China.,Department of Neuroscience, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, United States
| | - Qianqian Guo
- Institute of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Limin Wang
- Institute of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Institute of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Luo Luo
- Institute of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Wei Yuan
- Institute of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Laifu Li
- Institute of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Institute of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Wenjuan Hou
- Institute of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Hui Qiao
- Institute of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Rui Jia
- Institute of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Fadao Tai
- Institute of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
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13
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Kentrop J, Smid CR, Achterberg EJM, van IJzendoorn MH, Bakermans-Kranenburg MJ, Joëls M, van der Veen R. Effects of Maternal Deprivation and Complex Housing on Rat Social Behavior in Adolescence and Adulthood. Front Behav Neurosci 2018; 12:193. [PMID: 30254573 PMCID: PMC6141926 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2018.00193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2018] [Accepted: 08/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Early life context and stressful experiences are known to increase the risk of developing psychiatric disorders later in life, including disorders with deficits in the social domain. Our study aimed to investigate the influence of early life environment on social behavior in a well-controlled animal model. To this end we tested the effects of maternal deprivation (MD) on rat social play behavior in adolescence and social interaction in adulthood. Additionally, we provided a stimulating environment during adolescence (complex housing) as a potential intervention to diminish the effects of early life stress. Male and female Wistar rats were deprived from their mother for 24 h on postnatal day 3 (PND 3) or were left undisturbed. Complex housing started 5 days after weaning and consisted of housing 10 same-sex conspecifics in large, two-floor MarlauTM cages until the end of the study. Social play behavior in adolescence was tested under different conditions (3 h vs. 24 h social isolation prior to testing). Maternally deprived males – but not females – showed a longer latency to play and a decreased total amount of social play behavior, after a 24 h isolation period. In adulthood, social discrimination was impaired in deprived male and female rats in the three-chamber social approach task. Complex housing did not moderate the effects of MD, but in itself induced a strong behavioral phenotype. Both complex housed males and females hardly displayed any play behavior after a 3 h isolation period. However, after 24 h of isolation, these animals showed shorter latencies to engage in social play behavior. Only complex housed males truly showed more social play behavior here, while showing less social interest in adulthood. We conclude that MD has mild negative effects on social behavior in adolescence and adulthood, which are not counteracted by complex housing. Complex housing induces a specific phenotype associated with rapid habituation; a lack of social play after short isolation periods, while increasing play behavior after a prolonged period of isolation in adolescence, and less social interest, paired with intact social discrimination in adulthood. In both early life settings, males seem to be more influenced by the early life environment compared to females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiska Kentrop
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Claire R Smid
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - E J M Achterberg
- Department of Animals in Science and Society, Division of Behavioral Neuroscience, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Marinus H van IJzendoorn
- Department of Psychology, Education and Child Studies, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands.,Primary Care Unit, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | | | - Marian Joëls
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.,University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Rixt van der Veen
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.,Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
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14
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Spencer KA. Developmental stress and social phenotypes: integrating neuroendocrine, behavioural and evolutionary perspectives. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2018; 372:rstb.2016.0242. [PMID: 28673918 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2016.0242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/25/2017] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The social world is filled with different types of interactions, and social experience interacts with stress on several different levels. Activation of the neuroendocrine axis that regulates the response to stress can have consequences for innumerable behavioural responses, including social decision-making and aspects of sociality, such as gregariousness and aggression. This is especially true for stress experienced during early life, when physiological systems are developing and highly sensitive to perturbation. Stress at this time can have persistent effects on social behaviours into adulthood. One important question remaining is to what extent these effects are adaptive. This paper initially reviews the current literature investigating the complex relationships between the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and other neuroendocrine systems and several aspects of social behaviour in vertebrates. In addition, the review explores the evidence surrounding the potential for 'social programming' via differential development and activation of the HPA axis, providing an insight into the potential for positive effects on fitness following early life stress. Finally, the paper provides a framework from which novel investigations could work to fully understand the adaptive significance of early life effects on social behaviours.This article is part of the themed issue 'Physiological determinants of social behaviour in animals'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen A Spencer
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of St Andrews, South Street, St Andrews KY16 9JP, UK
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15
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He Z, Hou W, Hao X, Dong N, Du P, Yuan W, Yang J, Jia R, Tai F. Oxytocin receptor antagonist treatments alter levels of attachment to mothers and central dopamine activity in pre-weaning mandarin vole pups. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2017; 84:124-134. [PMID: 28710956 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2017.06.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2017] [Revised: 06/25/2017] [Accepted: 06/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Oxytocin (OT) is known to be important in mother-infant bonding. Although the relationship between OT and filial attachment behavior has been studied in a few mammalian species, the effects on infant social behavior have received little attention in monogamous species. The present study examined the effects of OT receptor antagonist (OTA) treatment on attachment behavior and central dopamine (DA) activity in male and female pre-weaning mandarin voles (Microtus mandarinus). Our data showed that OTA treatments decreased the attachment behavior of pups to mothers, measured using preference tests at postnatal day 14, 16, 18 and 20. OTA treatments reduced serum OT concentration in pre-weaning pups and decreased tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) levels in the ventral tegmental area (VTA), indicating a decrease in central DA activity. In male and female pups, OTA reduced DA levels, DA 1-type receptor (D1R) and DA 2-type receptor (D2R) protein expression in the nucleus accumbens (NAcc). Our results indicate that OTA treatment inhibits the attachment of pre-weaning pups to mothers. This inhibition is possibly associated with central DA activity and levels of two types of dopamine receptor in the NAcc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhixiong He
- Institute of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710062, China
| | - Wenjuan Hou
- Institute of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710062, China
| | - Xin Hao
- Institute of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710062, China
| | - Na Dong
- Institute of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710062, China
| | - Peirong Du
- Institute of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710062, China
| | - Wei Yuan
- Institute of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710062, China
| | - Jinfeng Yang
- Institute of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710062, China
| | - Rui Jia
- Institute of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710062, China; Cognition Neuroscience and Learning Division, Key Laboratory of Modern Teaching Technology, Ministry of Education, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710062, China
| | - Fadao Tai
- Institute of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710062, China; Cognition Neuroscience and Learning Division, Key Laboratory of Modern Teaching Technology, Ministry of Education, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710062, China.
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16
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Walker SC, Trotter PD, Swaney WT, Marshall A, Mcglone FP. C-tactile afferents: Cutaneous mediators of oxytocin release during affiliative tactile interactions? Neuropeptides 2017; 64:27-38. [PMID: 28162847 DOI: 10.1016/j.npep.2017.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2017] [Accepted: 01/18/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Low intensity, non-noxious, stimulation of cutaneous somatosensory nerves has been shown to trigger oxytocin release and is associated with increased social motivation, plus reduced physiological and behavioural reactivity to stressors. However, to date, little attention has been paid to the specific nature of the mechanosensory nerves which mediate these effects. In recent years, the neuroscientific study of human skin nerves (microneurography studies on single peripheral nerve fibres) has led to the identification and characterisation of a class of touch sensitive nerve fibres named C-tactile afferents. Neither itch nor pain receptive, these unmyelinated, low threshold mechanoreceptors, found only in hairy skin, respond optimally to low force/velocity stroking touch. Notably, the speed of stroking which C-tactile afferents fire most strongly to is also that which people perceive to be most pleasant. The social touch hypothesis posits that this system of nerves has evolved in mammals to signal the rewarding value of physical contact in nurturing and social interactions. In support of this hypothesis, we review the evidence that cutaneous stimulation directly targeted to optimally activate C-tactile afferents reduces physiological arousal, carries a positive affective value and, under healthy conditions, inhibits responses to painful stimuli. These effects mirror those, we also review, which have been reported following endogenous release and exogenous administration of oxytocin. Taken together this suggests C-tactile afferent stimulation may mediate oxytocin release during affiliative tactile interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susannah C Walker
- Research Centre for Brain & Behaviour, School of Natural Sciences & Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool L3 3AF, UK..
| | - Paula D Trotter
- Research Centre for Brain & Behaviour, School of Natural Sciences & Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool L3 3AF, UK
| | - William T Swaney
- Research Centre for Brain & Behaviour, School of Natural Sciences & Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool L3 3AF, UK
| | - Andrew Marshall
- Research Centre for Brain & Behaviour, School of Natural Sciences & Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool L3 3AF, UK.; Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Salford M6 8HD, UK
| | - Francis P Mcglone
- Research Centre for Brain & Behaviour, School of Natural Sciences & Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool L3 3AF, UK.; Institute of Psychology, Health and Society, University of Liverpool, UK
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17
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Roohbakhsh A, Shamsizadeh A, Arababadi MK, Ayoobi F, Fatemi I, Allahtavakoli M, Mohammad-Zadeh M. Tactile learning in rodents: Neurobiology and neuropharmacology. Life Sci 2016; 147:1-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2016.01.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2015] [Revised: 12/28/2015] [Accepted: 01/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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18
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Vey LT, Rosa HZ, Barcelos RCS, Segat HJ, Metz VG, Dias VT, Duarte T, Duarte MMMF, Burger ME. Stress during the gestational period modifies pups' emotionality parameters and favors preference for morphine in adolescent rats. Behav Brain Res 2015; 296:408-417. [PMID: 26300452 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2015.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2015] [Revised: 08/11/2015] [Accepted: 08/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Experimental animal studies have shown that early life periods are highly vulnerable to environmental factors, which may exert prolonged impact on HPA axis function and on subsequent neurochemical and behavioral responses in adulthood. Here we evaluated the influence of environmental stressful situations in two different early life stages on stress-related behaviors, and morphine-conditioned place preference (CPP), which is indicative of addiction. While in the gestational stress (Gest-S) dams were exposed to daily sessions of chronic mild stress (CMS) for 2 weeks, in the postnatal stress (post-NS) the offspring were exposed daily to neonatal isolation from postnatal day (PND) 2 to PND 9 for 60 min. Animals exposed to post-NS showed lesser anxiety in different behavioral paradigms (elevated plus maze-EPM and defensive burying test-DBT) as well as increased exploratory behavior (open-field task-OFT), and no preference for morphine in CPP. In contrast, animals exposed to Gest-S showed increased corticosterone plasma levels together with anxiety symptoms and greater preference for morphine following three days of drug withdrawal. Our findings indicate that the gestational period is critical for stress, whose effects may be manifest throughout life. On the other hand, post-NS can trigger neuroadaptations able to overcome emotional consequences of early life. We hypothesized that Gest-S is able to modify responses to opioids along adulthood, which may facilitate development of addiction to these drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciana Taschetto Vey
- Programa de Pós Graduação em Bioquímica Toxicológica, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), Av. Roraima, 1000, Prédio 18, Cidade Universitária, CEP 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Higor Zuquetto Rosa
- Departamento de Fisiologia e Farmacologia, UFSM, Av. Roraima, 1000, Prédio 21, Cidade Universitária, CEP 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Raquel Cristine Silva Barcelos
- Programa de Pós Graduação em Farmacologia UFSM, Av. Roraima, 1000, Prédio 21, Cidade Universitária, CEP 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Hecson Jesser Segat
- Programa de Pós Graduação em Bioquímica Toxicológica, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), Av. Roraima, 1000, Prédio 18, Cidade Universitária, CEP 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Vinícia Garzella Metz
- Departamento de Fisiologia e Farmacologia, UFSM, Av. Roraima, 1000, Prédio 21, Cidade Universitária, CEP 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Verônica Tironi Dias
- Programa de Pós Graduação em Farmacologia UFSM, Av. Roraima, 1000, Prédio 21, Cidade Universitária, CEP 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Thiago Duarte
- Programa de Pós Graduação em Farmacologia UFSM, Av. Roraima, 1000, Prédio 21, Cidade Universitária, CEP 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Marta M M F Duarte
- Programa de Pós Graduação em Farmacologia UFSM, Av. Roraima, 1000, Prédio 21, Cidade Universitária, CEP 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil; Lutheran University of Brazil (ULBRA), Santa Maria, Brazil
| | - Marilise Escobar Burger
- Programa de Pós Graduação em Bioquímica Toxicológica, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), Av. Roraima, 1000, Prédio 18, Cidade Universitária, CEP 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil; Programa de Pós Graduação em Farmacologia UFSM, Av. Roraima, 1000, Prédio 21, Cidade Universitária, CEP 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil; Departamento de Fisiologia e Farmacologia, UFSM, Av. Roraima, 1000, Prédio 21, Cidade Universitária, CEP 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil.
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19
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The oxytocin system promotes resilience to the effects of neonatal isolation on adult social attachment in female prairie voles. Transl Psychiatry 2015; 5. [PMID: 26196439 PMCID: PMC5068726 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2015.73] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Genes and social experiences interact to create variation in social behavior and vulnerability to develop disorders of the social domain. Socially monogamous prairie voles display remarkable diversity in neuropeptide receptor systems and social behavior. Here, we examine the interaction of early-life adversity and brain oxytocin receptor (OTR) density on adult social attachment in female prairie voles. First, pups were isolated for 3 h per day, or unmanipulated, from postnatal day 1-14. Adult subjects were tested on the partner preference (PP) test to assess social attachment and OTR density in the brain was quantified. Neonatal social isolation impaired female PP formation, without affecting OTR density. Accumbal OTR density was, however, positively correlated with the percent of time spent huddling with the partner in neonatally isolated females. Females with high accumbal OTR binding were resilient to neonatal isolation. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that parental nurturing shapes neural systems underlying social relationships by enhancing striatal OTR signaling. Thus, we next determined whether early touch, mimicking parental licking and grooming, stimulates hypothalamic OT neuron activity. Tactile stimulation induced immediate-early gene activity in OT neurons in neonates. Finally, we investigated whether pharmacologically potentiating OT release using a melanocortin 3/4 agonist, melanotan-II (10 mg kg(-1) subcutaneously), would mitigate the social isolation-induced impairments in attachment behavior. Neonatal melanotan-II administration buffered against the effects of early isolation on partner preference formation. Thus, variation in accumbal OTR density and early OT release induced by parental nurturing may moderate susceptibility to early adverse experiences, including neglect.
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20
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Sandi C, Haller J. Stress and the social brain: behavioural effects and neurobiological mechanisms. Nat Rev Neurosci 2015; 16:290-304. [PMID: 25891510 DOI: 10.1038/nrn3918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 378] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Stress often affects our social lives. When undergoing high-level or persistent stress, individuals frequently retract from social interactions and become irritable and hostile. Predisposition to antisocial behaviours - including social detachment and violence - is also modulated by early life adversity; however, the effects of early life stress depend on the timing of exposure and genetic factors. Research in animals and humans has revealed some of the structural, functional and molecular changes in the brain that underlie the effects of stress on social behaviour. Findings in this emerging field will have implications both for the clinic and for society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Sandi
- Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne CH-1050, Switzerland
| | - József Haller
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest H-1450, Hungary
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21
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Li Y, Lian Z, Wang B, Tai F, Wu R, Hao P, Qiao X. Natural variation in paternal behavior is associated with central estrogen receptor alpha and oxytocin levels. J Comp Physiol A Neuroethol Sens Neural Behav Physiol 2015; 201:285-93. [DOI: 10.1007/s00359-015-0979-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2014] [Revised: 12/07/2014] [Accepted: 01/09/2015] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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22
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Wang L, Zhang W, Wu R, Kong L, Feng W, Cao Y, Tai F, Zhang X. Neuroendocrine responses to social isolation and paternal deprivation at different postnatal ages in Mandarin voles. Dev Psychobiol 2014; 56:1214-28. [PMID: 24464494 DOI: 10.1002/dev.21202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2013] [Accepted: 01/02/2014] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Neonatal isolation and paternal deprivation have long lasting effects on the behavior and neuroendocrine system at adulthood. Whether these effects at adulthood are induced by neonatal changes in relevant neuroendocrine parameters lead by these early-life social experiences is not well understood. Whether monogamous rodents exhibit a stress hypo-responsive period (SHRP) also remains unclear. Using the monogamous mandarin vole, we found that 30 min of isolation did not affect levels of corticosterone (CORT) and adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) at postnatal days 8, 10, and 12 displaying a SHRP, but increased these at postnatal days 4, 14, 16, and 18. Isolation increased vasopressin (AVP)-ir neurons in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and supraoptic nucleus (SON) from postnatal days 4 to 12, and up-regulated oxytocin (OT)-ir neurons in the PVN at postnatal days 4 and 8 and SON at postnatal day 4. Paternally deprived pups showed increase in ACTH and CORT after 30 min of social isolation from postnatal days 8 to 14, increase in AVP-ir neurons in the PVN from postnatal days 10 to 14, reduction in OT-ir neurons in the PVN from postnatal days 10 to 14 and in the SON at postnatal days 12 and 14. These results indicate that monogamous mandarin voles display a short SHRP which can be disrupted by paternal deprivation. Central AVP and OT levels may also be altered by paternal deprivation and social isolation. We propose that changes in these neuroendocrine parameters induced by early-life social experiences such as those tested here persist and result.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Wang
- Institute of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710062, Shaanxi, China; Key laboratory of Modern Teaching Technology, Ministry of Education, Xi'an, 710062, Shaanxi, China
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23
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Cao Y, Wu R, Tai F, Zhang X, Yu P, An X, Qiao X, Hao P. Neonatal paternal deprivation impairs social recognition and alters levels of oxytocin and estrogen receptor α mRNA expression in the MeA and NAcc, and serum oxytocin in mandarin voles. Horm Behav 2014; 65:57-65. [PMID: 24291055 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2013.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2013] [Revised: 11/17/2013] [Accepted: 11/19/2013] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Paternal care is necessary for the healthy development of social behavior in monogamous rodents and social recognition underpins social behavior in these animals. The effects of paternal care on the development of social recognition and underlying neuroendocrine mechanisms, especially the involvement of oxytocin and estrogen pathways, remain poorly understood. We investigated the effects of paternal deprivation (PD: father was removed from neonatal pups and mother alone raised the offspring) on social recognition in mandarin voles (Microtus mandarinus), a socially monogamous rodent. Paternal deprivation was found to inhibit the development of social recognition in female and male offspring according to a habituation-dishabituation paradigm. Paternal deprivation resulted in increased inactivity and reduced investigation during new encounters with other animals. Paternal deprivation reduced oxytocin receptor (OTR) and estrogen receptor α (ERα) mRNA expression in the medial amygdala and nucleus accumbens. Paternal deprivation reduced serum oxytocin (OT) concentration in females, but had no effect on males. Our results provide substantial evidence that paternal deprivation inhibits the development of social recognition in female and male mandarin voles and alters social behavior later in life. This is possibly the result of altered expression of central OTR and ERα and serum OT levels caused by paternal deprivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Cao
- Institute of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710062, China
| | - Ruiyong Wu
- Institute of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710062, China
| | - Fadao Tai
- Institute of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710062, China.
| | - Xia Zhang
- University of Ottawa, Institute of Mental Health Research, Ottawa, Ontario K1Z 7K4, Canada
| | - Peng Yu
- Institute of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710062, China
| | - Xiaolei An
- Institute of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710062, China
| | - Xufeng Qiao
- Institute of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710062, China
| | - Ping Hao
- Institute of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710062, China
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