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Wall EM, Woolley SC. Social experiences shape song preference learning independently of developmental exposure to song. Proc Biol Sci 2024; 291:20240358. [PMID: 38835281 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2024.0358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Communication governs the formation and maintenance of social relationships. The interpretation of communication signals depends not only on the signal's content but also on a receiver's individual experience. Experiences throughout life may interact to affect behavioural plasticity, such that a lack of developmental sensory exposure could constrain adult learning, while salient adult social experiences could remedy developmental deficits. We investigated how experiences impact the formation and direction of female auditory preferences in the zebra finch. Zebra finches form long-lasting pair bonds and females learn preferences for their mate's vocalizations. We found that after 2 weeks of cohabitation with a male, females formed pair bonds and learned to prefer their partner's song regardless of whether they were reared with ('normally reared') or without ('song-naive') developmental exposure to song. In contrast, females that heard but did not physically interact with a male did not prefer his song. In addition, previous work has found that song-naive females do not show species-typical preferences for courtship song. We found that cohabitation with a male ameliorated this difference in preference. Thus, courtship and pair bonding, but not acoustic-only interactions, strongly influence preference learning regardless of rearing experience, and may dynamically drive auditory plasticity for recognition and preference.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin M Wall
- Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, Québec H3A 1A1, Canada
- Centre for Research on Brain, Language and Music, McGill University, Montreal, Québec H3G 2A8, Canada
| | - Sarah C Woolley
- Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, Québec H3A 1A1, Canada
- Centre for Research on Brain, Language and Music, McGill University, Montreal, Québec H3G 2A8, Canada
- Department of Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Québec H3A 1B1, Canada
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Forero SA, Liu S, Shetty N, Ophir AG. Re-wiring of the bonded brain: Gene expression among pair bonded female prairie voles changes as they transition to motherhood. GENES, BRAIN, AND BEHAVIOR 2024; 23:e12906. [PMID: 38861664 PMCID: PMC11166254 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2024] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
Motherhood is a costly life-history transition accompanied by behavioral and neural plasticity necessary for offspring care. Motherhood in the monogamous prairie vole is associated with decreased pair bond strength, suggesting a trade-off between parental investment and pair bond maintenance. Neural mechanisms governing pair bonds and maternal bonds overlap, creating possible competition between the two. We measured mRNA expression of genes encoding receptors for oxytocin (oxtr), dopamine (d1r and d2r), mu-opioids (oprm1a), and kappa-opioids (oprk1a) within three brain areas processing salience of sociosensory cues (anterior cingulate cortex; ACC), pair bonding (nucleus accumbens; NAc), and maternal care (medial preoptic area; MPOA). We compared gene expression differences between pair bonded prairie voles that were never pregnant, pregnant (~day 16 of pregnancy), and recent mothers (day 3 of lactation). We found greater gene expression in the NAc (oxtr, d2r, oprm1a, and oprk1a) and MPOA (oxtr, d1r, d2r, oprm1a, and oprk1a) following the transition to motherhood. Expression for all five genes in the ACC was greatest for females that had been bonded for longer. Gene expression within each region was highly correlated, indicating that oxytocin, dopamine, and opioids comprise a complimentary gene network for social signaling. ACC-NAc gene expression correlations indicated that being a mother (oxtr and d1r) or maintaining long-term pair bonds (oprm1a) relies on the coordination of different signaling systems within the same circuit. Our study suggests the maternal brain undergoes changes that prepare females to face the trade-off associated with increased emotional investment in offspring, while also maintaining a pair bond.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Female
- Arvicolinae/genetics
- Receptors, Opioid, mu/genetics
- Receptors, Opioid, mu/metabolism
- Pair Bond
- Maternal Behavior/physiology
- Nucleus Accumbens/metabolism
- Pregnancy
- Receptors, Oxytocin/genetics
- Receptors, Oxytocin/metabolism
- Receptors, Opioid, kappa/genetics
- Receptors, Opioid, kappa/metabolism
- Gyrus Cinguli/metabolism
- Preoptic Area/metabolism
- Receptors, Dopamine D1/genetics
- Receptors, Dopamine D1/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sydney Liu
- Department of PsychologyCornell UniversityIthacaNew YorkUSA
| | - Netra Shetty
- Department of PsychologyCornell UniversityIthacaNew YorkUSA
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Ryabinin A, Johnson M, Zweig J, Zhang Y, Nunez L, Ryabinina O, Hibert M. Effects of Oxytocin Receptor Agonism on Acquisition and Expression of Pair Bonding in Male Prairie Voles. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-4351761. [PMID: 38798348 PMCID: PMC11118693 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4351761/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
There is much interest in targeting the activity in the oxytocin system to regulate social bonding. However, studies with exogenous administration of oxytocin face the caveats of its low stability, poor brain permeability and insufficient receptor specificity. The use of a small-molecule oxytocin receptor-specific agonist could overcome these caveats. Prior to testing the potential effects of a brain-penetrant oxytocin receptor agonist in clinical settings, it is important to assess how such an agonist would affect social bonds in animal models. The facultatively monogamous prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster), capable of forming long-term social attachments between adult individuals, are an ideal rodent model for such testing. Therefore, in a series of experiments we investigated the effects of the recently developed oxytocin receptor-specific agonist LIT-001 on the acquisition and expression of partner preference, a well-established model of pair bonding, in prairie voles. LIT-001 (10 mg/kg, intraperitoneal), as expected, facilitated the acquisition of partner preference when administered prior to a 4-hour cohabitation. In contrast, while animals injected with vehicle after the 4-hour cohabitation exhibited significant partner preference, animals that were injected with LIT-001 did not show such partner preference. This result suggests that OXTR activation during expression of pair bonding can inhibit partner preference. The difference in effects of LIT-001 on acquisition versus expression was not due to basal differences in partner preference between the experiments, as LIT-001 had no significant effects on expression of partner preference if administered following a shorter (2 hour-long) cohabitation. Instead, this difference agrees with the hypothesis that the activation of oxytocin receptors acts as a signal of presence of a social partner. Our results indicate that the effects of pharmacological activation of oxytocin receptors crucially depend on the phase of social attachments.
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Rodriguez M, Themann A, Garcia-Carachure I, Lira O, Robison AJ, Cushing BS, Iñiguez SD. Chronic social defeat stress in prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster): A preclinical model for the study of depression-related phenotypes. J Affect Disord 2024; 351:833-842. [PMID: 38341153 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Stress-induced illnesses, like major depression, are among the leading causes of disability across the world. Consequently, there is a dire need for the validation of translationally-suited animal models incorporating social stress to uncover the etiology of depression. Prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster) are more translationally relevant than many other rodent models as they display monogamous social and bi-parental behaviors. Therefore, we evaluated whether a novel social defeat stress (SDS) model in male prairie voles induces depression-relevant behavioral outcomes. METHODS Adult sexually-naïve male prairie voles experienced SDS bouts from a conspecific pair-bonded male aggressor, 10 min per day for 10 consecutive days. Non-stressed controls (same-sex siblings) were housed in similar conditions but never experienced physical stress. Twenty-four h later, voles were evaluated in social interaction, sucrose preference, and Morris water maze tests - behavioral endpoints validated to assess social withdrawal, anhedonia-related behavior, and spatial memory performance, respectively. RESULTS SDS-exposed voles displayed lower sociability and body weight, decreased preference for a sucrose solution, and impairment of spatial memory retrieval. Importantly, no differences in general locomotor activity were observed as a function of SDS exposure. LIMITATIONS This study does not include female voles in the experimental design. CONCLUSIONS We found that repeated SDS exposure, in male prairie voles, results in a depression-relevant phenotype resembling an anhedonia-like outcome (per reductions in sucrose preference) along with social withdrawal and spatial memory impairment - highlighting that the prairie vole is a valuable model with potential to study the neurobiology of social stress-induced depression-related outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minerva Rodriguez
- Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, United States
| | - Anapaula Themann
- Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, United States
| | | | - Omar Lira
- Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, United States
| | - Alfred J Robison
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Bruce S Cushing
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, United States
| | - Sergio D Iñiguez
- Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, United States.
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Huang J, Zhang YY, Qiu YY, Yao S, Qiu WT, Peng JL, Li YQ, You QL, Wu CH, Wu EJ, Wang J, Zhou YL, Ning YP, Wang HS, Chen WB, Hu BJ, Liu Y, Sun XD. NRG1-ErbB4 signaling in the medial amygdala controls mating motivation in adult male mice. Cell Rep 2024; 43:113905. [PMID: 38446660 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.113905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Motivation-driven mating is a basic affair for the maintenance of species. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms that control mating motivation are not fully understood. Here, we report that NRG1-ErbB4 signaling in the medial amygdala (MeA) is pivotal in regulating mating motivation. NRG1 expression in the MeA negatively correlates with the mating motivation levels in adult male mice. Local injection and knockdown of MeA NRG1 reduce and promote mating motivation, respectively. Consistently, knockdown of MeA ErbB4, a major receptor for NRG1, and genetic inactivation of its kinase both promote mating motivation. ErbB4 deletion decreases neuronal excitability, whereas chemogenetic manipulations of ErbB4-positive neuronal activities bidirectionally modulate mating motivation. We also identify that the effects of NRG1-ErbB4 signaling on neuronal excitability and mating motivation rely on hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated channel 3. This study reveals a critical molecular mechanism for regulating mating motivation in adult male mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Huang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yan-Yan Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, and Emergency Department of the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Basic Medicine, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yu-Yang Qiu
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, and Emergency Department of the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Basic Medicine, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shan Yao
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, and Emergency Department of the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Basic Medicine, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wan-Ting Qiu
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, and Emergency Department of the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Basic Medicine, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jin-Lin Peng
- Guangzhou Medical University-Guangzhou Institute of Biomedicine and Health (GMU-GIBH) Joint School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuan-Quan Li
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Qingyuan Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Qingyuan People's Hospital, Qingyuan, China
| | - Qiang-Long You
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, and Emergency Department of the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Basic Medicine, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Cui-Hong Wu
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, and Emergency Department of the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Basic Medicine, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Er-Jian Wu
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, and Emergency Department of the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Basic Medicine, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jin Wang
- Department of Physiology, Guangxi University of Science and Technology, Liuzhou, China
| | - Yan-Ling Zhou
- Department of Psychiatry, Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yu-Ping Ning
- Department of Psychiatry, Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hong-Sheng Wang
- Songjiang Research Institute, Shanghai Songjiang District Central Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wen-Bing Chen
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, and Emergency Department of the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Basic Medicine, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bing-Jie Hu
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, and Emergency Department of the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Basic Medicine, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Youtan Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Xiang-Dong Sun
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, China; Key Laboratory of Mental Health of the Ministry of Education, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for Psychiatric Disorders, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Psychiatric Disorders, Guangdong Basic Research Center of Excellence for Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine for Qingzhi Diseases, Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
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6
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Gustison ML, Muñoz-Castañeda R, Osten P, Phelps SM. Sexual coordination in a whole-brain map of prairie vole pair bonding. eLife 2024; 12:RP87029. [PMID: 38381037 PMCID: PMC10942618 DOI: 10.7554/elife.87029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Sexual bonds are central to the social lives of many species, including humans, and monogamous prairie voles have become the predominant model for investigating such attachments. We developed an automated whole-brain mapping pipeline to identify brain circuits underlying pair-bonding behavior. We identified bonding-related c-Fos induction in 68 brain regions clustered in seven major brain-wide neuronal circuits. These circuits include known regulators of bonding, such as the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, paraventricular hypothalamus, ventral pallidum, and prefrontal cortex. They also include brain regions previously unknown to shape bonding, such as ventromedial hypothalamus, medial preoptic area, and the medial amygdala, but that play essential roles in bonding-relevant processes, such as sexual behavior, social reward, and territorial aggression. Contrary to some hypotheses, we found that circuits active during mating and bonding were largely sexually monomorphic. Moreover, c-Fos induction across regions was strikingly consistent between members of a pair, with activity best predicted by rates of ejaculation. A novel cluster of regions centered in the amygdala remained coordinated after bonds had formed, suggesting novel substrates for bond maintenance. Our tools and results provide an unprecedented resource for elucidating the networks that translate sexual experience into an enduring bond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgan L Gustison
- Department of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at AustinAustinUnited States
- Department of Psychology, Western UniversityLondonCanada
| | - Rodrigo Muñoz-Castañeda
- Cold Spring Harbor LaboratoryCold Spring HarborUnited States
- Appel Alzheimer's Disease Research Institute, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell MedicineNew YorkUnited States
| | - Pavel Osten
- Cold Spring Harbor LaboratoryCold Spring HarborUnited States
| | - Steven M Phelps
- Department of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at AustinAustinUnited States
- Institute for Neuroscience, The University of Texas at AustinAustinUnited States
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7
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Demirel S, Tuzcu F, Uysal Harzadin N, Kandiş S, Kızıldağ S, Kanıt L. Examination of Empathy-Like Behaviour in Nicotine-Preferring Rat Lines. Int J Neurosci 2024:1-20. [PMID: 38318673 DOI: 10.1080/00207454.2024.2312989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
Addiction is an important global health issue, impacting also addicts environment and society. Empathy plays crucial role in establishing successful social relationships and is a fundamental component of social life. The aim of this study is to investigate how nicotine preferring (NP) strain and oral forced nicotine administration affects empathy-like behaviour in rats, with gender differences. Sprague-Dawley NP rats (10 males/10 females) and wild-type control rats (10 males/10 females) were used. Behavioural tests were administered to all rats before and after oral forced nicotine administration. The behavioural tests were completed in the fourth week of nicotine administration. Anxiety levels that could affect empathy-like behaviour were evaluated with open field, elevated plus maze tests and with blood cortisol levels. Oxytocin receptor and arginine vasopressin (AVP) levels, which have been shown to be related to empathy-like behaviour, were examined in the prefrontal cortex and amygdala regions using the enzyme-linked immunoassay method. It was observed that males from the NP strain showed less empathy-like behaviour than all other groups, and nicotine administration did not cause a significant change in the results. Higher levels of locomotor activity (LA) were found in control females than in all other groups. Blood nicotine and corticosterone levels were higher in NP rats. No significant differences were found in AVP and oxytocin receptor levels in the prefrontal cortex and amygdala. In conclusion, it was found that coming from an addicted strain particularly reduces empathy-like behaviour in males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sinem Demirel
- Ege University, Institude of Health Sciences, Department of Neuroscience, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Fulya Tuzcu
- Ege University, Institude of Health Sciences, Department of Neuroscience, Izmir, Turkey
- Ege University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physiology, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Nazan Uysal Harzadin
- Dokuz Eylul University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physiology, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Sevim Kandiş
- Dokuz Eylul University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physiology, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Servet Kızıldağ
- Dokuz Eylul University, Vocational School of Health Services, Medical Laboratory Techniques Program, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Lütfiye Kanıt
- Ege University, Institude of Health Sciences, Department of Neuroscience, Izmir, Turkey
- Ege University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physiology, Izmir, Turkey
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8
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Denney KA, Wu MV, Sun SED, Moon S, Tollkuhn J. Comparative analysis of gonadal hormone receptor expression in the postnatal house mouse, meadow vole, and prairie vole brain. Horm Behav 2024; 158:105463. [PMID: 37995608 PMCID: PMC11145901 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2023.105463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 11/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
The socially monogamous prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster) and promiscuous meadow vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus) are closely related, but only prairie voles display long-lasting pair bonds, biparental care, and selective aggression towards unfamiliar individuals after pair bonding. These social behaviors in mammals are largely mediated by steroid hormone signaling in the social behavior network (SBN) of the brain. Hormone receptors are reproducible markers of sex differences that can provide more information than anatomy alone and can even be at odds with anatomical dimorphisms. We reasoned that behaviors associated with social monogamy in prairie voles may emerge in part from unique expression patterns of steroid hormone receptors in this species, and that these expression patterns would be more similar across males and females in prairie than in meadow voles or the laboratory mouse. To obtain insight into steroid hormone signaling in the developing prairie vole brain, we assessed expression of estrogen receptor alpha (Esr1), estrogen receptor beta (Esr2), and androgen receptor (Ar) within the SBN, using in situ hybridization at postnatal day 14 in mice, meadow, and prairie voles. We found species-specific patterns of hormone receptor expression in the hippocampus and ventromedial hypothalamus, as well as species differences in the sex bias of these markers in the principal nucleus of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis. These findings suggest the observed differences in gonadal hormone receptor expression may underlie species differences in the display of social behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine A Denney
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, 1 Bungtown Road, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA; Program in Neuroscience, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11790, USA
| | - Melody V Wu
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, 1 Bungtown Road, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA
| | - Simón E D Sun
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, 1 Bungtown Road, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA
| | - Soyoun Moon
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, 1 Bungtown Road, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA
| | - Jessica Tollkuhn
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, 1 Bungtown Road, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA.
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Grippo AJ, Akinbo OI, Amidei A, Wardwell J, Normann MC, Ciosek S, Kovalev D. Maladaptive cardiac and behavioral reactivity to repeated vicarious stress exposure in socially bonded male prairie vole siblings. Auton Neurosci 2024; 251:103145. [PMID: 38194740 PMCID: PMC10843770 DOI: 10.1016/j.autneu.2023.103145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
Behaviors, emotions, and cardiovascular functions are influenced by stress. But these detrimental effects are not exclusive to an individual that directly experiences stress. Stress is also experienced vicariously through observation of another individual undergoing stress. The current study used the strong social bonds in socially monogamous prairie voles to determine effects of repeated vicarious stress on cardiac and behavioral outcomes. Male prairie voles were exposed to either a 5-minute open field chamber alone [separate (control)] or while concurrently witnessing their sibling undergo a tail-suspension stressor [concurrent (experimental)], repeated across 4 sessions. Cardiac responses in animals in the open field were evaluated for heart rate and heart rate variability prior to, during, and after each test session, and behaviors were evaluated for motion, exploration, stress reactivity, and anxiety-relevant behaviors during each test session. The concurrent condition (versus separate) displayed increased heart rate and reduced heart rate variability during repeated test sessions, and impaired recovery of these parameters following the test sessions. The pattern of disturbances suggests that both increased sympathetic and reduced parasympathetic influence contributed to the cardiac responses. Animals in the concurrent condition (versus separate) displayed disrupted rearing, grooming, and motion; reduced duration of center section exploration; and increased freezing responses across repeated test sessions. Collectively, cardiac and behavioral stress reactivity are increased as a function of vicarious stress in prairie voles, which are evident across repeated experiences of stress. These results inform our understanding of the experience of vicarious stress in social species, including humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela J Grippo
- Department of Psychology, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, USA.
| | - Oreoluwa I Akinbo
- Department of Psychology, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, USA
| | - Alex Amidei
- Department of Psychology, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, USA
| | - Joshua Wardwell
- Department of Psychology, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, USA
| | - Marigny C Normann
- Department of Psychology, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, USA
| | - Sarah Ciosek
- Department of Psychology, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, USA
| | - Dmitry Kovalev
- Department of Psychology, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, USA
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10
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Fricker BA, Kelly AM. From grouping and cooperation to menstruation: Spiny mice (Acomys cahirinus) are an emerging mammalian model for sociality and beyond. Horm Behav 2024; 158:105462. [PMID: 38000170 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2023.105462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
While spiny mice are primarily used as a model for Type II diabetes and for studying complex tissue regeneration, they are also an emerging model for a variety of studies examining hormones, behavior, and the brain. We began studying the spiny mouse to take advantage of their highly gregarious phenotype to examine how the brain facilitates large group-living. However, this unique rodent can be readily bred and maintained in the lab and can be used to ask a wide variety of scientific questions. In this brief communication we provide an overview of studies that have used spiny mice for exploring physiology and behavior. Additionally, we describe how the spiny mouse can serve as a useful model for researchers interested in studying precocial development, menstruation, cooperation, and various grouping behaviors. With increasingly available technological advancements for non-traditional organisms, spiny mice are well-positioned to become a valuable organism in the behavioral neuroscience community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon A Fricker
- Department of Psychology, Emory University, 36 Eagle Row, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States of America.
| | - Aubrey M Kelly
- Department of Psychology, Emory University, 36 Eagle Row, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States of America.
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11
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Graham LH, Leishman EM, Demers K, Whiteside DP, McAdie M. Factors Associated with Reproductive Success in Captive Vancouver Island Marmots ( Marmota vancouverensis). Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:387. [PMID: 38338030 PMCID: PMC10854754 DOI: 10.3390/ani14030387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2023] [Revised: 01/20/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The Vancouver Island marmot (Marmota vancouverensis) is Canada's most endangered endemic mammal. In 1997, a conservation breeding-for-release program was established to supplement wild marmot populations. Retrospective analyses of captive breeding studbook records since 2000 indicate the age of the sire and the dam significantly impacted the odds of successfully weaning a litter. Dams and sires between 5 and 7 years of age had more than double the odds of reproductive success compared to older animals. Successful reproduction by the dam in the previous year also doubled the odds of successfully weaning a litter in subsequent years. Assessment of adrenal function via fecal glucocorticoid analyses indicated established breeding pairs had decreased stress compared to new pairs (5.74 ± 0.28 ng/g vs. 7.60 ± 0.34 ng/g; p < 0.0001). Pairs that were ultimately successful at weaning pups in a breeding season had decreased stress compared to unsuccessful pairs (6.05 ± 0.34 ng/g vs. 7.22 ± 0.28 ng/g; p = 0.0006). These endocrine results suggest social buffering via familiarity and breeding/pair bond formation may be decreasing stress in established and successful pairs, respectively. The results of this study will be used to assist in the captive breeding management of this species to optimise numbers of animals produced to supplement the wild populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura H. Graham
- WRG Conservation Foundation, West Montrose, ON N0B 2V0, Canada
- College of New Caledonia, Prince George, BC V2N 1P8, Canada
| | - Emily M. Leishman
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada;
| | - Kahlee Demers
- Independent Researcher, Maple Ridge, BC V2W 0A9, Canada
| | | | - Malcolm McAdie
- Marmot Recovery Foundation, Nanaimo, BC V9R 6X6, Canada;
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12
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Cordero-Molina S, Fetter-Pruneda I, Contreras-Garduño J. Neural mechanisms involved in female mate choice in invertebrates. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 14:1291635. [PMID: 38269245 PMCID: PMC10807292 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1291635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Mate choice is a critical decision with direct implications for fitness. Although it has been recognized for over 150 years, our understanding of its underlying mechanisms is still limited. Most studies on mate choice focus on the evolutionary causes of behavior, with less attention given to the physiological and molecular mechanisms involved. This is especially true for invertebrates, where research on mate choice has largely focused on male behavior. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge on the neural, molecular and neurohormonal mechanisms of female choice in invertebrates, including behaviors before, during, and after copulation. We identify areas of research that have not been extensively explored in invertebrates, suggesting potential directions for future investigation. We hope that this review will stimulate further research in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sagrario Cordero-Molina
- Laboratorio de Ecología Evolutiva. Escuela Nacional de Estudios Superiores. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Ingrid Fetter-Pruneda
- Departamento de Biología Celular y Fisiología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Jorge Contreras-Garduño
- Laboratorio de Ecología Evolutiva. Escuela Nacional de Estudios Superiores. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
- Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
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13
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Ginder DE, Tinsley CE, Kaiser ME, Lim MM. SEX-SPECIFIC IMPACTS OF EARLY LIFE SLEEP DISRUPTION: ETHANOL SEEKING, SOCIAL INTERACTION, AND ANXIETY ARE DIFFERENTIALLY ALTERED IN ADOLESCENT PRAIRIE VOLES. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.03.574112. [PMID: 38260326 PMCID: PMC10802381 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.03.574112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Early life sleep is important for neuronal development and maturation. Using the highly social prairie vole rodent model, we have previously reported that early-life sleep disruption (ELSD) during the pre-weaning period postnatal day (P)14 to 21 results in adult interference with social bonding and increases ethanol consumption following a stressor. Furthermore, we have reported increased parvalbumin expression and reduced glutamatergic neurotransmission in cortical regions in adult prairie voles that experienced this paradigm. To understand the impact of ELSD on the lifespan, examination of an earlier time in life is necessary. Thus, the aim of the present study was to examine the behavioral outcomes of ELSD on adolescent prairie voles. Here we hypothesized that anxiety and reward related behaviors, as measured by light/dark box, 2-bottle choice and social interactions, would be negatively impacted by ELSD in adolescent male and female prairie voles. Male ELSD voles were no different from control voles in measures of anxiety and ethanol preference or consumption, but affiliative social interactions were significantly reduced. ELSD differentially impacted female prairie voles, with increased anxiety-like behavior and reductions in ethanol consumption compared to Controls, but no impact on ethanol preference or social interactions. Together, these results suggest both male and female prairie voles experience differential changes to reward seeking behaviors, but only female prairie voles showed increases in anxiety-like behavior. These results further suggest that early-life sleep is critically important for neurotypical behaviors in adolescence, a time where reward-seeking and risky behaviors are adaptive for learning and promoting survival.
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14
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Proaño SB, Miller CK, Krentzel AA, Dorris DM, Meitzen J. Sex steroid hormones, the estrous cycle, and rapid modulation of glutamatergic synapse properties in the striatal brain regions with a focus on 17β-estradiol and the nucleus accumbens. Steroids 2024; 201:109344. [PMID: 37979822 PMCID: PMC10842710 DOI: 10.1016/j.steroids.2023.109344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/20/2023]
Abstract
The striatal brain regions encompassing the nucleus accumbens core (NAcc), shell (NAcs) and caudate-putamen (CPu) regulate cognitive functions including motivated behaviors, habit, learning, and sensorimotor action, among others. Sex steroid hormone sensitivity and sex differences have been documented in all of these functions in both normative and pathological contexts, including anxiety, depression and addiction. The neurotransmitter glutamate has been implicated in regulating these behaviors as well as striatal physiology, and there are likewise documented sex differences in glutamate action upon the striatal output neurons, the medium spiny neurons (MSNs). Here we review the available data regarding the role of steroid sex hormones such as 17β-estradiol (estradiol), progesterone, and testosterone in rapidly modulating MSN glutamatergic synapse properties, presented in the context of the estrous cycle as appropriate. Estradiol action upon glutamatergic synapse properties in female NAcc MSNs is most comprehensively discussed. In the female NAcc, MSNs exhibit development period-specific sex differences and estrous cycle variations in glutamatergic synapse properties as shown by multiple analyses, including that of miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs). Estrous cycle-differences in NAcc MSN mEPSCs can be mimicked by acute exposure to estradiol or an ERα agonist. The available evidence, or lack thereof, is also discussed concerning estrogen action upon MSN glutamatergic synapse in the other striatal regions as well as the underexplored roles of progesterone and testosterone. We conclude that there is strong evidence regarding estradiol action upon glutamatergic synapse function in female NAcs MSNs and call for more research regarding other hormones and striatal regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie B Proaño
- Dept. of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Christiana K Miller
- Dept. of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Amanda A Krentzel
- Office of Research and Innovation, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - David M Dorris
- Dept. of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - John Meitzen
- Dept. of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA; Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA; Center for Human Health and the Environment, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA.
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15
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Gustison ML, Muñoz-Castañeda R, Osten P, Phelps SM. Sexual coordination in a whole-brain map of prairie vole pair bonding. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.07.26.550685. [PMID: 37546974 PMCID: PMC10402037 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.26.550685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
Sexual bonds are central to the social lives of many species, including humans, and monogamous prairie voles have become the predominant model for investigating such attachments. We developed an automated whole-brain mapping pipeline to identify brain circuits underlying pair-bonding behavior. We identified bonding-related c-Fos induction in 68 brain regions clustered in seven major brain-wide neuronal circuits. These circuits include known regulators of bonding, such as the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, paraventricular hypothalamus, ventral pallidum, and prefrontal cortex. They also include brain regions previously unknown to shape bonding, such as ventromedial hypothalamus, medial preoptic area and the medial amygdala, but that play essential roles in bonding-relevant processes, such as sexual behavior, social reward and territorial aggression. Contrary to some hypotheses, we found that circuits active during mating and bonding were largely sexually monomorphic. Moreover, c-Fos induction across regions was strikingly consistent between members of a pair, with activity best predicted by rates of ejaculation. A novel cluster of regions centered in the amygdala remained coordinated after bonds had formed, suggesting novel substrates for bond maintenance. Our tools and results provide an unprecedented resource for elucidating the networks that translate sexual experience into an enduring bond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgan L. Gustison
- Department of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at Austin; Austin, TX, USA
- Department of Psychology, Western University, ON, Canada
| | - Rodrigo Muñoz-Castañeda
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, USA
- Appel Alzheimer's Disease Research Institute, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Pavel Osten
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, USA
| | - Steven M. Phelps
- Department of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at Austin; Austin, TX, USA
- Institute for Neuroscience, The University of Texas at Austin; Austin, TX, USA
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16
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Marzoratti A, Liu ME, Krol KM, Sjobeck GR, Lipscomb DJ, Hofkens TL, Boker SM, Pelphrey KA, Connelly JJ, Evans TM. Epigenetic modification of the oxytocin receptor gene is associated with child-parent neural synchrony during competition. Dev Cogn Neurosci 2023; 63:101302. [PMID: 37734257 PMCID: PMC10518595 DOI: 10.1016/j.dcn.2023.101302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 09/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Interpersonal neural synchrony (INS) occurs when neural electrical activity temporally aligns between individuals during social interactions. It has been used as a metric for interpersonal closeness, often during naturalistic child-parent interactions. This study evaluated whether other biological correlates of social processing predicted the prevalence of INS during child-parent interactions, and whether their observed cooperativity modulated this association. Child-parent dyads (n = 27) performed a visuospatial tower-building task in cooperative and competitive conditions. Neural activity was recorded using mobile electroencephalogram (EEG) headsets, and experimenters coded video-recordings post-hoc for behavioral attunement. DNA methylation of the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTRm) was measured, an epigenetic modification associated with reduced oxytocin activity and socioemotional functioning. Greater INS during competition was associated with lower child OXTRm, while greater behavioral attunement during competition and cooperation was associated with higher parent OXTRm. These differential relationships suggest that interpersonal dynamics as measured by INS may be similarly reflected by other biological markers of social functioning, irrespective of observed behavior. Children's self-perceived communication skill also showed opposite associations with parent and child OXTRm, suggesting complex relationships between children's and their parents' social functioning. Our findings have implications for ongoing developmental research, supporting the utility of biological metrics in characterizing interpersonal relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Analia Marzoratti
- School of Education and Human Development, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Megan E Liu
- Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Kathleen M Krol
- Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Gus R Sjobeck
- Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Daniel J Lipscomb
- School of Education and Human Development, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Tara L Hofkens
- School of Education and Human Development, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Steven M Boker
- Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Kevin A Pelphrey
- School of Education and Human Development, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA; Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA; Department of Neurology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Jessica J Connelly
- Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Tanya M Evans
- School of Education and Human Development, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA; Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA; Department of Neurology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
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17
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Berendzen KM, Bales KL, Manoli DS. Attachment across the lifespan: Examining the intersection of pair bonding neurobiology and healthy aging. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 153:105339. [PMID: 37536581 PMCID: PMC11073483 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
Increasing evidence suggests that intact social bonds are protective against age-related morbidity, while bond disruption and social isolation increase the risk for multiple age-related diseases. Social attachments, the enduring, selective bonds formed between individuals, are thus essential to human health. Socially monogamous species like the prairie vole (M. ochrogaster) form long-term pair bonds, allowing us to investigate the mechanisms underlying attachment and the poorly understood connection between social bonds and health. In this review, we explore several potential areas of focus emerging from data in humans and other species associating attachment and healthy aging, and evidence from prairie voles that may clarify this link. We examine gaps in our understanding of social cognition and pair bond behavior. Finally, we discuss physiologic pathways related to pair bonding that promote resilience to the processes of aging and age-related disease. Advances in the development of molecular genetic tools in monogamous species will allow us to bridge the mechanistic gaps presented and identify conserved research and therapeutic targets relevant to human health and aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen M. Berendzen
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco; San Francisco, CA 95158, USA
- Center for Integrative Neuroscience, University of California, San Francisco; San Francisco, CA 95158, USA
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco; San Francisco, CA 95158, USA
- Kavli Institute for Fundamental Neuroscience, University of California, San Francisco; San Francisco, CA 95158, USA
| | - Karen L. Bales
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis; Davis, CA 95616, USA
- Department of Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior, University of California, Davis; Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Devanand S. Manoli
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco; San Francisco, CA 95158, USA
- Center for Integrative Neuroscience, University of California, San Francisco; San Francisco, CA 95158, USA
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco; San Francisco, CA 95158, USA
- Kavli Institute for Fundamental Neuroscience, University of California, San Francisco; San Francisco, CA 95158, USA
- Neurosciences Graduate Program, University of California, San Francisco; San Francisco, CA 95158, USA
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18
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Prior NH, Haakenson CM, Clough S, Ball GF, Sandkam BA. Varied impacts of social relationships on neuroendocrine state. Horm Behav 2023; 155:105403. [PMID: 37678093 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2023.105403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
Social relationships, affiliative social attachments, are important for many species. The best studied types of relationships are monogamous pair bonds. However, it remains unclear how generalizable models of pair bonding are across types of social attachments. Zebra finches are a fascinating system to explore the neurobiology of social relationships because they form various adult bonds with both same- and opposite-sex partners. To test whether different bonds are supported by a single brain network, we quantified individuals' neuroendocrine state after either 24 h or 2 weeks of co-housing with a novel same- or opposite-sex partner. We defined neuroendocrine state by the expression of 22 genes related to 4 major signaling pathways (dopamine, steroid, nonapeptide, and opioid) in six brain regions associated with affiliation or communication [nucleus accumbens (NAc), nucleus taeniae of the amygdala (TnA), medial preoptic area (POM), and periaqueductal gray (PAG), ventral tegmental area, and auditory cortex]. Overall, we found dissociable effects of social contexts (same- or opposite-sex partnerships) and duration of co-housing. Social bonding impacted the neuroendocrine state of four regions in males (NAc, TnA, POM, and PAG) and three regions in females (NAc, TnA, and POM). Monogamous pair bonding specifically appeared to impact male NAc. However, the patterns of gene expression in zebra finches were different than has previously been reported in mammals. Together, our results support the view that there are numerous mechanisms regulating social relationships and highlight the need to further our understanding of how social interactions shape social bonds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nora H Prior
- Department of Psychology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States of America.
| | - Chelsea M Haakenson
- Neuroscience and Cognitive Science Program, Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, United States of America
| | - Savannah Clough
- Neuroscience and Cognitive Science Program, Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, United States of America
| | - Gregory F Ball
- Neuroscience and Cognitive Science Program, Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, United States of America
| | - Benjamin A Sandkam
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States of America
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19
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Waddell NJ, Liu Y, Chitaman JM, Kaplan GJ, Wang Z, Feng J. Transcription and DNA methylation signatures of paternal behavior in hippocampal dentate gyrus of prairie voles. Sci Rep 2023; 13:11020. [PMID: 37419920 PMCID: PMC10328943 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-37521-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023] Open
Abstract
In socially monogamous prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster), parental behaviors not only occur in mothers and fathers, but also exist in some virgin males. In contrast, the other virgin males display aggressive behaviors towards conspecific pups. However, little is known about the molecular underpinnings of this behavioral dichotomy, such as gene expression changes and their regulatory mechanisms. To address this, we profiled the transcriptome and DNA methylome of hippocampal dentate gyrus of four prairie vole groups, namely attacker virgin males, parental virgin males, fathers, and mothers. While we found a concordant gene expression pattern between parental virgin males and fathers, the attacker virgin males have a more deviated transcriptome. Moreover, numerous DNA methylation changes were found in pair-wise comparisons among the four groups. We found some DNA methylation changes overlapping with transcription differences, across gene-bodies and promoter regions. Furthermore, the gene expression changes and methylome alterations are selectively enriched in certain biological pathways, such as Wnt signaling, which suggest a canonical transcription regulatory role of DNA methylation in paternal behavior. Therefore, our study presents an integrated view of prairie vole dentate gyrus transcriptome and epigenome that provides a DNA epigenetic based molecular insight of paternal behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas J Waddell
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA
| | - Yan Liu
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA
- Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA
| | - Javed M Chitaman
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA
- Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA
| | - Graham J Kaplan
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA
- Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA
| | - Zuoxin Wang
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA.
- Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA.
| | - Jian Feng
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA.
- Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA.
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20
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Bueno-Junior LS, Jones-Tinsley CE, Milman NEP, Wickham PT, Watson BO, Lim MM. Early-life sleep disruption impairs subtle social behaviours in prairie voles: a pose-estimation study. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2023; 10:230700. [PMID: 37448475 PMCID: PMC10336370 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.230700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
Early-life sleep disruption (ELSD) has been shown to have long-lasting effects on social behaviour in adult prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster), including impaired expression of pair bonding during partner preference testing. However, due to the limitations of manual behaviour tracking, the effects of ELSD across the time course of pair bonding have not yet been described, hindering our ability to trace mechanisms. Here, we used pose estimation to track prairie voles during opposite-sex cohabitation, the process leading to pair bonding. Male-female pairs were allowed to interact through a mesh divider in the home cage for 72 h, providing variables of body direction, distance-to-divider and locomotion speed. We found that control males displayed periodic patterns of body orientation towards females during cohabitation. In contrast, ELSD males showed reduced duration and ultradian periodicity of these body orientation behaviours towards females. Furthermore, in both sexes, ELSD altered spatial and temporal patterns of locomotion across the light/dark cycles of the 72 h recordings. This study allows a comprehensive behavioural assessment of the effects of ELSD on later life sociality and highlights subtle prairie vole behaviours. Our findings may shed light on neurodevelopmental disorders featuring sleep disruption and social deficits, such as autism spectrum disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Carolyn E. Jones-Tinsley
- Veterans Affairs VISN20 Northwest MIRECC, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR, USA
- Oregon Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Department of Neurology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Noah E. P. Milman
- Veterans Affairs VISN20 Northwest MIRECC, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR, USA
- Oregon Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Department of Neurology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Peyton T. Wickham
- Veterans Affairs VISN20 Northwest MIRECC, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR, USA
- Oregon Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Department of Neurology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Brendon O. Watson
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Miranda M. Lim
- Veterans Affairs VISN20 Northwest MIRECC, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR, USA
- Oregon Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Department of Neurology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
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21
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Forero SA, Sailer LL, Girčytė A, Madrid JE, Sullivan N, Ophir AG. Motherhood and DREADD manipulation of the nucleus accumbens weaken established pair bonds in female prairie voles. Horm Behav 2023; 151:105351. [PMID: 37003159 PMCID: PMC10133177 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2023.105351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
Monogamous pair bonding has evolved to enhance reproductive success and ensure offspring survival. Although the behavioral and neural mechanisms regulating the formation of pair bonds have been relatively well outlined, how these relationships are regulated and maintained across the lifetime of an individual remains relatively unexplored. One way to explore this is to study the maintenance of a social bond across a major life-history transition. The transition to motherhood is among the most poignant moments in the life history of a female, and is associated with significant neural and behavioral changes and shifting priorities. The nucleus accumbens (NAc) is known to modulate social valence and is central to mammalian pair bonding. In this study, we investigated two mechanisms driving variation in bond strength in the socially monogamous prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster). We manipulated neural activity of the NAc at two distinct stages of life-history, before and after the birth of offspring, to assess how neural activity and social contexts modulate female pair bond strength. Our results showed DREADD (Designer Receptor Exclusively Activated by Designer Drugs) inhibition of the NAc decreases affiliative behavior towards the mating partner, whereas DREADD activation of the NAc increases affiliative behavior of strangers, thereby decreasing social selectivity. We also found a robust "birth effect" on pair bond strength, such that bonds with partners were weakened after the birth of offspring, an effect not attributable to the amount of cohabitation time with a partner. Overall, our data support the hypotheses that NAc activity modulates reward/saliency within the social brain in different ways, and that motherhood comes with a cost for the bond strength between mating partners.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Aistė Girčytė
- Department of Psychology, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Jesus E Madrid
- Department of Psychology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Nicole Sullivan
- Department of Psychology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
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22
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Allen A, Heisler E, Kittelberger JM. Dopamine injections to the midbrain periaqueductal gray inhibit vocal-motor production in a teleost fish. Physiol Behav 2023; 263:114131. [PMID: 36796532 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2023.114131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 02/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
Across vertebrates, the midbrain periaqueductal gray (PAG) plays a critical role in social and vocal behavior. Dopaminergic neurotransmission also modulates these behaviors, and dopaminergic innervation of the PAG has been well documented. Nonetheless, the potential role of dopamine in shaping vocal production at the level of the PAG is not well understood. Here, we tested the hypothesis that dopamine modulates vocal production in the PAG, using a well-characterized vertebrate model system for the study of vocal communication, the plainfin midshipman fish, Porichthys notatus. We found that focal dopamine injections to the midshipman PAG rapidly and reversibly inhibited vocal production triggered by stimulation of known vocal-motor structures in the preoptic area / anterior hypothalamus. While dopamine inhibited vocal-motor output, it did not alter behaviorally-relevant parameters of this output, such as vocalization duration and frequency. Dopamine-induced inhibition of vocal production was prevented by the combined blockade of D1- and D2-like receptors but was unaffected by isolated blockade of either D1-receptors or D2-receptors. Our results suggest dopamine neuromodulation in the midshipman PAG may inhibit natural vocal behavior, in courtship and/or agonistic social contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Allen
- Department of Biology, Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, PA 17325, United States
| | - Elizabeth Heisler
- Department of Biology, Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, PA 17325, United States
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23
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Escriche Chova P, Ferrer E, Goetze LR, Dufek ME, Freeman SM, Bales KL. Neural and behavioral reactions to partners and strangers in monogamous female titi monkeys (Plecturocebus cupreus). Behav Brain Res 2023; 443:114334. [PMID: 36781020 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2023.114334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/13/2023]
Abstract
Pair bonding in humans and other socially monogamous species can have positive effects on health and well-being. These attachments also come with the potential for challenges such as separation, jealousy, or grief. Much of the work on the neurobiology of pair bonding in non-human primates has been carried out in coppery titi monkeys (Plecturocebus cupreus), a monogamous South American monkey, although these studies have been primarily in males. In the current study, we utilized female titi monkeys to experimentally examine responses to their monogamous male partner vs. a male stranger or being alone. Positron emission tomography (PET) scans were performed on eight adult female titi monkeys from well-established pairs. We used a within-subjects design in which each female underwent three different conditions after the fluorodeoxyglucose F18 (FDG) injection: a) the subject was reunited with her partner, b) encountered a stranger, or c) was alone in the experimental cage. Behavioural observations were recorded, and plasma assayed for cortisol. Females housed alone showed higher cortisol compared with either the partner or stranger conditions. FDG uptake was higher in the amygdala and hippocampus when interacting with the stranger than the partner. Proximity modulated the relationship between social condition and FDG uptake in several areas. Females entered into mutual proximity more frequently with the partner than with the stranger. Female titi monkeys have different physiological, neural, and behavioural reactions to being with their partner, a stranger male, or being alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Escriche Chova
- California National Primate Research Center, UC-Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
| | - Emilio Ferrer
- Department of Psychology, UC-Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
| | - Leana R Goetze
- California National Primate Research Center, UC-Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
| | - Madison E Dufek
- California National Primate Research Center, UC-Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
| | - Sara M Freeman
- Department of Biology, Utah State University, 5305 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322, USA.
| | - Karen L Bales
- California National Primate Research Center, UC-Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA; Department of Psychology, UC-Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA; Department of Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior, UC-Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
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24
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Fricker BA, Roshko VC, Jiang J, Kelly AM. Partner separation rescues pair bond-induced decreases in hypothalamic oxytocin neural densities. Sci Rep 2023; 13:4835. [PMID: 36964221 PMCID: PMC10037388 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-32076-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Studies in prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster) have shown that although formation of the pair bond is accompanied by a suite of behavioral changes, a bond between two voles can dissolve and individuals can form new pair bonds with other conspecifics. However, the neural mechanisms underlying this behavioral flexibility have not been well-studied. Here we examine plasticity of nonapeptide, vasopressin (VP) and oxytocin (OT), neuronal populations in relation to bonding and the dissolution of bonds. Using adult male and female prairie voles, animals were either pair bonded, co-housed with a same-sex sibling, separated from their pair bond partner, or separated from their sibling. We examined neural densities of VP and OT cell groups and observed plasticity in the nonapeptide populations of the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN). Voles that were pair bonded had fewer PVN OT neurons, suggesting that PVN OT neural densities decrease with pair bonding, but increase and return to a pre-pair bonded baseline after the dissolution of a pair bond. Our findings suggest that the PVN nonapeptide cell groups are particularly plastic in adulthood, providing a mechanism by which voles can exhibit context-appropriate behavior related to bond status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon A Fricker
- Department of Psychology, Emory University, 36 Eagle Row, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Venezia C Roshko
- Department of Psychology, Emory University, 36 Eagle Row, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Jinrun Jiang
- Department of Psychology, Emory University, 36 Eagle Row, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Aubrey M Kelly
- Department of Psychology, Emory University, 36 Eagle Row, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.
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25
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Turano A, Brummer SP, Young JK, Freeman SM. Can a traditional partner preference test quantify monogamous behavior in captive coyotes? Behav Processes 2023; 206:104832. [PMID: 36693577 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2023.104832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Social monogamy is a unique social system exhibited by only 3-5% of mammalian taxa; however, all wild canid species exhibit this social system. Despite the high prevalence of social monogamy among canids, little is known about how they form selective social attachment relationships among non-kin. Thus, we aimed to quantify monogamous behavior in a highly ubiquitous canid, the coyote (Canis latrans). We adapted the three-chambered partner preference test, which was originally developed for prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster), to assess social preference in mated pairs of captive coyotes at the USDA Predator Research Facility. We quantified monogamy-related behaviors, such as time spent in spatial proximity to a pair-mate versus a stranger. Our behavioral ethogram also included visual seeking, olfactory investigations, ears down, scent marking, and affiliative behavior. Test subjects showed significantly greater affiliative behavior toward their partner than toward a stranger. However, there was extremely high variability both within and between coyote pairs across behavioral measures. These data suggest the need for larger sample sizes when working with species with high individual variability, as well as the need for species- and facility-specific modifications to this testing paradigm and/or ethogram to better adapt it from its laboratory and rodent-based origins.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stacey P Brummer
- National Wildlife Research Center - Predator Research Facility, USDA, Logan, UT, USA.
| | - Julie K Young
- Utah State University, Department of Wildland Resources and Ecology Center, Logan, UT, USA.
| | - Sara M Freeman
- Utah State University, Biology Department, Logan, UT, USA.
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26
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Donovan M, Mackey CS, Lynch MDJ, Platt GN, Brown AN, Washburn BK, Trickey DJ, Curtis JT, Liu Y, Charles TC, Wang Z, Jones KM. Limosilactobacillus reuteri administration alters the gut-brain-behavior axis in a sex-dependent manner in socially monogamous prairie voles. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1015666. [PMID: 36846764 PMCID: PMC9945313 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1015666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Research on the role of gut microbiota in behavior has grown dramatically. The probiotic L. reuteri can alter social and stress-related behaviors - yet, the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. Although traditional laboratory rodents provide a foundation for examining the role of L. reuteri on the gut-brain axis, they do not naturally display a wide variety of social behaviors. Using the highly-social, monogamous prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster), we examined the effects of L. reuteri administration on behaviors, neurochemical marker expression, and gut-microbiome composition. Females, but not males, treated with live L. reuteri displayed lower levels of social affiliation compared to those treated with heat-killed L. reuteri. Overall, females displayed a lower level of anxiety-like behaviors than males. Live L. reuteri-treated females had lower expression of corticotrophin releasing factor (CRF) and CRF type-2-receptor in the nucleus accumbens, and lower vasopressin 1a-receptor in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN), but increased CRF in the PVN. There were both baseline sex differences and sex-by-treatment differences in gut microbiome composition. Live L. reuteri increased the abundance of several taxa, including Enterobacteriaceae, Lachnospiraceae NK4A136, and Treponema. Interestingly, heat-killed L. reuteri increased abundance of the beneficial taxa Bifidobacteriaceae and Blautia. There were significant correlations between changes in microbiota, brain neurochemical markers, and behaviors. Our data indicate that L. reuteri impacts gut microbiota, gut-brain axis and behaviors in a sex-specific manner in socially-monogamous prairie voles. This demonstrates the utility of the prairie vole model for further examining causal impacts of microbiome on brain and behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meghan Donovan
- Department of Psychology and Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, United States
- Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center, Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center, Aurora, CO, United States
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Calvin S. Mackey
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, United States
| | - Michael D. J. Lynch
- Metagenom Bio Life Science Inc, Waterloo, ON, Canada
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Grayson N. Platt
- Department of Psychology and Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, United States
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, United States
| | - Amber N. Brown
- Department of Biological Science Core Facilities, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, United States
| | - Brian K. Washburn
- Department of Biological Science Core Facilities, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, United States
| | - Darryl J. Trickey
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, United States
| | - J. Thomas Curtis
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, Tulsa, OK, United States
| | - Yan Liu
- Department of Psychology and Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, United States
| | - Trevor C. Charles
- Metagenom Bio Life Science Inc, Waterloo, ON, Canada
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Zuoxin Wang
- Department of Psychology and Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, United States
| | - Kathryn M. Jones
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, United States
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Johnson CE, Hammock EAD, Dewan AK. Vasopressin receptor 1a, oxytocin receptor, and oxytocin knockout male and female mice display normal perceptual abilities towards non-social odorants. Horm Behav 2023; 148:105302. [PMID: 36628861 PMCID: PMC10067158 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2022.105302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Genetic knockouts of the vasopressin receptor 1a (Avpr1a), oxytocin receptor (Oxtr), or oxytocin (Oxt) gene in mice have helped cement the causal relationship between these neuropeptide systems and various social behaviors (e.g., social investigation, recognition, and communication, as well as territoriality and aggression). In mice, these social behaviors depend upon the olfactory system. Thus, it is critical to assess the olfactory capabilities of these knockout models to accurately interpret the observed differences in social behavior. Prior studies utilizing these transgenic mice have sought to test for baseline deficits in olfactory processing; predominantly through use of odor habituation/dishabituation tasks, buried food tests, or investigation assays using non-social odorants. While informative, these assays rely on the animal's intrinsic motivation and locomotor behavior to measure olfactory capabilities and thus, often yield mixed results. Instead, psychophysical analyses using operant conditioning procedures and flow-dilution olfactometry are ideally suited to precisely quantify olfactory perception. In the present study, we used these methods to assess the main olfactory capabilities of adult male and female Avpr1a, Oxtr, and Oxt transgenic mice to volatile non-social odorants. Our results indicate that homozygous and heterozygous knockout mice of all three strains have the same sensitivity and discrimination ability as their wild-type littermates. These data strongly support the hypothesis that the observed social deficits of these global knockout mice are not due to baseline deficits of their main olfactory system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloe Elise Johnson
- Department of Psychology, Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, United States.
| | - Elizabeth Anne Dunn Hammock
- Department of Psychology, Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, United States.
| | - Adam Kabir Dewan
- Department of Psychology, Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, United States.
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28
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Akinbo OI, McNeal N, Hylin M, Hite N, Dagner A, Grippo AJ. The Influence of Environmental Enrichment on Affective and Neural Consequences of Social Isolation Across Development. AFFECTIVE SCIENCE 2022; 3:713-733. [PMID: 36519141 PMCID: PMC9743881 DOI: 10.1007/s42761-022-00131-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Social stress is associated with depression and anxiety, physiological disruptions, and altered brain morphology in central stress circuitry across development. Environmental enrichment strategies may improve responses to social stress. Socially monogamous prairie voles exhibit analogous social and emotion-related behaviors to humans, with potential translational insight into interactions of social stress, age, and environmental enrichment. This study explored the effects of social isolation and environmental enrichment on behaviors related to depression and anxiety, physiological indicators of stress, and dendritic structural changes in amygdala and hippocampal subregions in young adult and aging prairie voles. Forty-nine male prairie voles were assigned to one of six groups divided by age (young adult vs. aging), social structure (paired vs. isolated), and housing environment (enriched vs. non-enriched). Following 4 weeks of these conditions, behaviors related to depression and anxiety were investigated in the forced swim test and elevated plus maze, body and adrenal weights were evaluated, and dendritic morphology analyses were conducted in hippocampus and amygdala subregions. Environmental enrichment decreased immobility duration in the forced swim test, increased open arm exploration in the elevated plus maze, and reduced adrenal/body weight ratio in aging and young adult prairie voles. Age and social isolation influenced dendritic morphology in the basolateral amygdala. Age, but not social isolation, influenced dendritic morphology in the hippocampal dentate gyrus. Environmental enrichment did not influence dendritic morphology in either brain region. These data may inform interventions to reduce the effects of social stressors and age-related central changes associated with affective behavioral consequences in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oreoluwa I. Akinbo
- Department of Psychology, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL 60115 USA
| | - Neal McNeal
- Department of Psychology, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL 60115 USA
| | - Michael Hylin
- Department of Psychology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901 USA
| | - Natalee Hite
- Department of Physiology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL, 62901, USA
| | - Ashley Dagner
- Department of Psychology, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL 60115 USA
| | - Angela J. Grippo
- Department of Psychology, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL 60115 USA
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29
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Duclot F, Liu Y, Saland SK, Wang Z, Kabbaj M. Transcriptomic analysis of paternal behaviors in prairie voles. BMC Genomics 2022; 23:679. [PMID: 36183097 PMCID: PMC9526941 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-022-08912-y] [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: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The importance of fathers’ engagement in care and its critical role in the offspring’s cognitive and emotional development is now well established. Yet, little is known on the underlying neurobiology due to the lack of appropriate animal models. In the socially monogamous and bi-parental prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster), while 60–80% of virgin males show spontaneous paternal behaviors (Paternal), others display pup-directed aggression (Attackers). Here we took advantage of this phenotypic dichotomy and used RNA-sequencing in three important brain areas to characterize gene expression associated with paternal behaviors of Paternal males and compare it to experienced Fathers and Mothers. Results While Paternal males displayed the same range and extent of paternal behaviors as experienced Fathers, we observed structure-specific transcriptomic differences between parental behaviors phenotypes. Using differential expression, gene set expression, as well as co-expression network analyses, we found that phenotypic differences between Paternal males and Attackers were mainly reflected by the lateral septum (LS), and to a lower extent, the nucleus accumbens (NAc), transcriptomes. In the medial preoptic area (MPOA), the profiles of gene expression mainly reflected differences between females and males regardless of their parental behaviors phenotype. Functional enrichment analyses of those gene sets associated with Paternal males or Attackers in the LS and the NAc revealed the involvement of processes related to the mitochondria, RNA translation, protein degradation processes, as well as epigenetic regulation of gene expression. Conclusions By leveraging the natural phenotypic differences in parental behaviors in virgin male prairie voles alongside fathers and mothers, we identified a marked structure- and phenotype-specific pattern of gene expression associated with spontaneous paternal behaviors independently from fatherhood and pair-bonding. The LS transcriptome related to the mitochondria, RNA translation, and protein degradation processes was thus highlighted as a primary candidate associated with the spontaneous display of paternal behaviors. Altogether, our observations further characterize the behavioral and transcriptomic signature of parental behaviors in the socially monogamous prairie vole and lay the groundwork to further our understanding of the molecular underpinnings of paternal behavior. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12864-022-08912-y.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Duclot
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA. .,Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA.
| | - Yan Liu
- Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA.,Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | - Samantha K Saland
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA.,Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | - Zuoxin Wang
- Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA.,Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | - Mohamed Kabbaj
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA. .,Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA.
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30
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Liu Y, Pan Y, Curtis TJ, Wang Z. Amphetamine exposure alters behaviors, and neuronal and neurochemical activation in the brain of female prairie voles. Neuroscience 2022; 498:73-84. [PMID: 35798262 PMCID: PMC9420825 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2022.06.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Previous studies have shown that 3-day d-amphetamine (AMPH) treatment effectively induced conditioned place preferences (CPP) and impaired pair bonding behaviors in prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster). Using this established animal model and treatment regimen, we examined the effects of the demonstrated threshold rewarding dose of AMPH on various behaviors and their potential underlying neurochemical systems in the brain of female prairie voles. Our data show that 3-day AMPH injections (0.2 mg/kg/day) impaired social recognition and decreased depressive-like behavior in females without affecting their locomotion and anxiety-like behaviors. AMPH treatment also decreased neuronal activation indicated by the labeling of the early growth response protein 1 (Egr-1) as well as the number of neurons double-labeled for Egr-1 and corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) in the dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus and paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) in the brain. Further, AMPH treatment decreased the number of neurons double-labeled for Egr-1 and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) but did not affect oxytocinergic neurons in the PVN or cell proliferation and neurogenesis markers in the DG. These data not only demonstrate potential roles of the brain CRH and dopamine systems in mediating disrupted social recognition and depressive-like behaviors by AMPH in female prairie voles, but also further confirm the utility of the prairie vole model for studying interactions between psychostimulants and social behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Liu
- Department of Psychology and Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
| | - Yongliang Pan
- Department of Psychology and Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA; Key Laboratory of Vector Biology and Pathogen Control of Zhejiang Province, Huzhou Central Hospital, Huzhou University, Huzhou 313000, China
| | - Thomas J Curtis
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, Tulsa, OK 74107, USA
| | - Zuoxin Wang
- Department of Psychology and Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA.
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31
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Krentzel AA, Proaño SB, Dorris DM, Setzer B, Meitzen J. The estrous cycle and 17β-estradiol modulate the electrophysiological properties of rat nucleus accumbens core medium spiny neurons. J Neuroendocrinol 2022; 34:e13122. [PMID: 35365910 PMCID: PMC9250601 DOI: 10.1111/jne.13122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 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: 12/06/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
The nucleus accumbens core is a key nexus within the mammalian brain for integrating the premotor and limbic systems and regulating important cognitive functions such as motivated behaviors. Nucleus accumbens core functions show sex differences and are sensitive to the presence of hormones such as 17β-estradiol (estradiol) in normal and pathological contexts. The primary neuron type of the nucleus accumbens core, the medium spiny neuron (MSN), exhibits sex differences in both intrinsic excitability and glutamatergic excitatory synapse electrophysiological properties. Here, we provide a review of recent literature showing how estradiol modulates rat nucleus accumbens core MSN electrophysiology within the context of the estrous cycle. We review the changes in MSN electrophysiological properties across the estrous cycle and how these changes can be mimicked in response to exogenous estradiol exposure. We discuss in detail recent findings regarding how acute estradiol exposure rapidly modulates excitatory synapse properties in nucleus accumbens core but not caudate-putamen MSNs, which mirror the natural changes seen across estrous cycle phases. These recent insights demonstrate the strong impact of sex-specific estradiol action upon nucleus accumbens core neuron electrophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda A. Krentzel
- Department of Biological SciencesNorth Carolina State UniversityRaleighNCUSA
| | - Stephanie B. Proaño
- Neurobiology LaboratoryNational Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIHResearch Triangle ParkNCUSA
| | - David M. Dorris
- Department of Biological SciencesNorth Carolina State UniversityRaleighNCUSA
| | - Beverly Setzer
- Graduate Program for Neuroscience and Department of Biomedical EngineeringBoston UniversityBostonMAUSA
| | - John Meitzen
- Department of Biological SciencesNorth Carolina State UniversityRaleighNCUSA
- Comparative Medicine InstituteNorth Carolina State UniversityRaleighNCUSA
- Center for Human Health and the EnvironmentNorth Carolina State UniversityRaleighNCUSA
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32
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Watanasriyakul WT, Scotti MAL, Carter CS, McNeal N, Colburn W, Wardwell J, Grippo AJ. Social isolation and oxytocin antagonism increase emotion-related behaviors and heart rate in female prairie voles. Auton Neurosci 2022; 239:102967. [PMID: 35240436 PMCID: PMC8974671 DOI: 10.1016/j.autneu.2022.102967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Revised: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Social isolation influences depression- and anxiety-related disorders and cardiac function. Oxytocin may mediate these conditions through interactions with social behavior, emotion, and cardiovascular function, via central and/or peripheral mechanisms. The present study investigated the influence of oxytocin antagonism using L-368,899, a selective oxytocin receptor antagonist that crosses the blood-brain barrier, on depression- and anxiety-related behaviors and heart rate in prairie voles. This rodent species has translational value for investigating interactions of social stress, behavior, cardiac responses, and oxytocin function. Adult female prairie voles were socially isolated or co-housed with a sibling for 4 weeks. A subset of animals in each housing condition was subjected to 4 sessions of acute L-368,899 (20 mg/kg, ip) or saline administration followed by a depression- or anxiety-related behavioral assessment. A subset of co-housed animals was evaluated for cardiac function following acute administration of L-368,899 (20 mg/kg, ip) and during behavioral assessments. Social isolation (vs. co-housing) increased depression- and anxiety-related behaviors. In isolated animals, L-368,899 (vs. vehicle) did not influence anxiety-related behaviors but exacerbated depression-related behaviors. In co-housed animals, L-368,899 exacerbated depression-related behaviors and increased heart rate at baseline and during behavioral tests. Social isolation produces emotion-related behaviors in prairie voles; central and/or peripheral oxytocin antagonism exacerbates these behavioral signs. Oxytocin antagonism induces depression-relevant behaviors and increases basal and stressor-reactive heart rate in co-housed prairie voles, similar to the consequences of social isolation demonstrated in this model. These results provide translational value for humans who experience behavioral and cardiac consequences of loneliness or social stress.
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Herschberger MR, Perkeybile AM. Effects of a D2 receptor antagonist on repeated pair bond formation in the male prairie vole. Horm Behav 2022; 141:105149. [PMID: 35248868 PMCID: PMC9081227 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2022.105149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Repeated formation and subsequent dissolution of romantic relationships is common in humans across a lifetime. The socially monogamous prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster) is used to study mechanisms of these bonds. At least in the laboratory, male prairie voles form bonds with a new female partner after loss of a previous partner. Initial bond formation depends on activation of dopamine D2-like receptors in the nucleus accumbens. Blocking activity of this receptor subtype disrupts formation of an animal's first pair bond. It is not known if these same D2-like receptors facilitate pair bonding with a subsequent partner after previous partner loss. This study examined the effects of D2-like receptor blockade on repeated pair bonding in male prairie voles. Males were paired with an initial female and allowed to mate before being separated. After a 5-day separation, males were then treated with either saline or eticlopride, a selective D2-receptor antagonist, prior to being paired with a second female and being allowed to mate. After a second separation, males were tested to determine if they developed a preference for spending time with their first or second mate. Eticlopride-treated males spent more time in a cage containing one of their previous partners compared to time in an empty cage but did not form a selective preference for either partner. Saline-treated males preferred their second, more recent partner. D2 receptor antagonism, then, disrupts bond formation in a second pairing but does not help to maintain a bond with the initial partner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madison R Herschberger
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Biology Building, 1001 E. 3rd St., Bloomington, IN 47405, USA
| | - Allison M Perkeybile
- Kinsey Institute, Indiana University, Lindley Hall, 150 S. Woodlawn Avenue, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA; Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, 102 Gilmer Hall, P.O. Box 400400, Charlottesville, VA 22904, USA.
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34
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Toor I, Maynard R, Peng X, Beery AK, Holmes MM. Naked Mole-Rat Social Phenotypes Vary in Investigative and Aggressive Behavior in a Laboratory Partner Preference Paradigm. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.860885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Here we employed the partner preference test (PPT) to examine how naked mole-rat non-breeding individuals of different behavioral phenotypes make social decisions. Naked mole-rats from six colonies were classified into three behavioral phenotypes (soldiers, dispersers, and workers) using a battery of behavioral tests. They then participated in a 3 h long PPT, where they could freely interact with a tethered familiar or tethered unfamiliar conspecific. By comparing the three behavioral phenotypes, we tested the hypothesis that the PPT can be used to interrogate social decision-making in this species, revealing individual differences in behavior that are consistent with discrete social phenotypes. We also tested whether a shorter, 10 min version of the paradigm is sufficient to capture group differences in behavior. Overall, soldiers had higher aggression scores toward unfamiliar conspecifics than both workers and dispersers at the 10 min and 3 h comparison times. At the 10 min comparison time, workers showed a stronger preference for the familiar animal’s chamber, as well as for investigating the familiar conspecific, compared to both dispersers and soldiers. At the 3 h time point, no phenotype differences were seen with chamber or investigation preference scores. Overall, all phenotypes spent more time in chambers with another animal vs. being alone. Use of the PPT in a comparative context has demonstrated that the test identifies species and group differences in affiliative and aggressive behavior toward familiar and unfamiliar animals, revealing individual differences in social decision-making and, importantly, capturing aspects of species-specific social organization seen in nature.
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Lee NS, Beery AK. Selectivity and Sociality: Aggression and Affiliation Shape Vole Social Relationships. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 16:826831. [PMID: 35330842 PMCID: PMC8940285 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.826831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The formation of selective social relationships is not a requirement of group living; sociality can be supported by motivation for social interaction in the absence of preferences for specific individuals, and by tolerance in place of social motivation. For species that form selective social relationships, these can be maintained by preference for familiar partners, as well as by avoidance of or aggression toward individuals outside of the social bond. In this review, we explore the roles that aggression, motivation, and tolerance play in the maintenance of selective affiliation. We focus on prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster) and meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus) as rodent species that both exhibit the unusual tendency to form selective social relationships, but differ with regard to mating system. These species provide an opportunity to investigate the mechanisms that underlie social relationships, and to compare mechanisms supporting pair bonds with mates and same-sex peer relationships. We then relate this to the role of aggression in group composition in a comparative context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole S. Lee
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Colgate University, Hamilton, NY, United States
| | - Annaliese K. Beery
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
- *Correspondence: Annaliese K. Beery,
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36
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Prior NH, Bentz EJ, Ophir AG. Reciprocal processes of sensory perception and social bonding: an integrated social-sensory framework of social behavior. GENES, BRAIN, AND BEHAVIOR 2022; 21:e12781. [PMID: 34905293 PMCID: PMC9744507 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Organisms filter the complexity of natural stimuli through their individual sensory and perceptual systems. Such perceptual filtering is particularly important for social stimuli. A shared "social umwelt" allows individuals to respond appropriately to the expected diversity of cues and signals during social interactions. In this way, the behavioral and neurobiological mechanisms of sociality and social bonding cannot be disentangled from perceptual mechanisms and sensory processing. While a degree of embeddedness between social and sensory processes is clear, our dominant theoretical frameworks favor treating the social and sensory processes as distinct. An integrated social-sensory framework has the potential to greatly expand our understanding of the mechanisms underlying individual variation in social bonding and sociality more broadly. Here we leverage what is known about sensory processing and pair bonding in two common study systems with significant species differences in their umwelt (rodent chemosensation and avian acoustic communication). We primarily highlight that (1) communication is essential for pair bond formation and maintenance, (2) the neural circuits underlying perception, communication and social bonding are integrated, and (3) candidate neuromodulatory mechanisms that regulate pair bonding also impact communication and perception. Finally, we propose approaches and frameworks that more fully integrate sensory processing, communication, and social bonding across levels of analysis: behavioral, neurobiological, and genomic. This perspective raises two key questions: (1) how is social bonding shaped by differences in sensory processing?, and (2) to what extent is sensory processing and the saliency of signals shaped by social interactions and emerging relationships?
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Affiliation(s)
- Nora H. Prior
- Department of PsychologyCornell UniversityIthacaNew YorkUSA
| | - Ehren J. Bentz
- Department of PsychologyCornell UniversityIthacaNew YorkUSA
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Vahaba DM, Halstead ER, Donaldson ZR, Ahern TH, Beery AK. Sex differences in the reward value of familiar mates in prairie voles. GENES, BRAIN, AND BEHAVIOR 2022; 21:e12790. [PMID: 35044087 PMCID: PMC8917082 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The rewarding properties of social interactions facilitate relationship formation and maintenance. Prairie voles are one of the few laboratory species that form selective relationships, manifested as "partner preferences" for familiar partners versus strangers. While both sexes exhibit strong partner preferences, this similarity in outward behavior likely results from sex-specific neurobiological mechanisms. We recently demonstrated that in operant trials, females worked hardest for access to familiar conspecifics of either sex, while males worked equally hard for access to any female, indicating a sex difference in social motivation. As tests were performed with one social target at a time, males might have experienced a ceiling effect, and familiar females might be more relatively rewarding in a choice scenario. Here we performed an operant social choice task in which voles lever-pressed to gain temporary access to either the chamber containing their mate or one containing a novel opposite-sex vole. Females worked hardest to access their mate, while males pressed at similar rates for either female. Individual male behavior was heterogeneous, congruent with multiple mating strategies in the wild. Voles exhibited preferences for favorable over unfavorable environments in a non-social operant task, indicating that lack of social preference does not reflect lack of discrimination. Natural variation in oxytocin receptor genotype at the intronic single nucleotide polymorphism NT213739 was associated with oxytocin receptor density, and predicted individual variation in stranger-directed aggressive behavior. These findings suggest that convergent preference behavior in male and female voles results from sex-divergent pathways, particularly in the realm of social motivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel M. Vahaba
- Program in Neuroscience, Department of BiologySmith CollegeNorthamptonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Emily R. Halstead
- Program in Neuroscience, Department of BiologySmith CollegeNorthamptonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Zoe R. Donaldson
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, Department of Psychology & NeuroscienceUniversity of Colorado BoulderBoulderColoradoUSA
| | - Todd H. Ahern
- Center for Behavioral NeuroscienceQuinnipiac UniversityHamdenConnecticutUSA
| | - Annaliese K. Beery
- Program in Neuroscience, Department of BiologySmith CollegeNorthamptonMassachusettsUSA,Department of Integrative BiologyUniversity of California BerkeleyBerkeleyCaliforniaUSA
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Donovan ML, Chun EK, Liu Y, Wang Z. Post-weaning Social Isolation in Male and Female Prairie Voles: Impacts on Central and Peripheral Immune System. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 15:802569. [PMID: 35111003 PMCID: PMC8801571 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2021.802569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The socially monogamous prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster) offers a unique opportunity to examine the impacts of adolescent social isolation on the brain, immune system, and behavior. In the current study, male and female prairie voles were randomly assigned to be housed alone or with a same-sex cagemate after weaning (i.e., on postnatal day 21-22) for a 6-week period. Thereafter, subjects were tested for anxiety-like and depressive-like behaviors using the elevated plus maze (EPM) and Forced Swim Test (FST), respectively. Blood was collected to measure peripheral cytokine levels, and brain tissue was processed for microglial density in various brain regions, including the Nucleus Accumbens (NAcc), Medial Amygdala (MeA), Central Amygdala (CeA), Bed Nucleus of the Stria Terminalis (BNST), and Paraventricular Nucleus of the Hypothalamus (PVN). Sex differences were found in EPM and FST behaviors, where male voles had significantly lower total arm entries in the EPM as well as lower latency to immobility in the FST compared to females. A sex by treatment effect was found in peripheral IL-1β levels, where isolated males had a lower level of IL-1β compared to cohoused females. Post-weaning social isolation also altered microglial density in a brain region-specific manner. Isolated voles had higher microglial density in the NAcc, MeA, and CeA, but lower microglial density in the dorsal BNST. Cohoused male voles also had higher microglial density in the PVN compared to cohoused females. Taken together, these data suggest that post-weaning social housing environments can alter peripheral and central immune systems in prairie voles, highlighting a potential role for the immune system in shaping isolation-induced alterations to the brain and behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meghan L. Donovan
- Program in Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, United States
- Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center, Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center, Aurora, CO, United States
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Eileen K. Chun
- Program in Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, United States
| | - Yan Liu
- Program in Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, United States
| | - Zuoxin Wang
- Program in Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, United States
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Nikbakhtzadeh M, Raeis-Abdollahi E, Riahi E, Arezoomandan R. The interaction between sexual reward/ deprivation and the acquisition, extinction and reinstatement of morphine-seeking behavior. Behav Brain Res 2022; 416:113579. [PMID: 34508768 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2021.113579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Natural rewards and abused drugs affect the function of the common brain's reward system. Interaction between social and drug rewards can change the vulnerability to development of drug addiction. Here, we investigate the effects of sexual experience and sex deprivation on the acquisition, maintenance, and drug prime-induced reinstatement of morphine-seeking behavior in male mice using conditioned place preference (CPP). CPP induced with morphine (3, 5, 7 mg/kg, s.c. for 3 days) lasted for 10 days after cessation of morphine treatment and priming dose of morphine (2 mg/kg, s.c.) reinstated the extinguished CPP. In the post-test phase, sexually experienced animals showed a lower preference for morphine compared to sex-deprived males. In the extinction phase, sex deprivation shortened maintenance time compared to control animals. The preference for morphine in sexually experienced animals did not diminish by the seventeenth extinction day. In both groups, the priming injection of morphine after the extinction period could reinstate the extinguished morphine-induced CPP. Together, these data showed the interaction between sex and drug reward and that sexual behavior -a natural rewarding stimulus- can prolong, whereas sex deprivation can block the maintenance of morphine-seeking behaviors. Sexual experience may induce functional and morphological alterations in brain reward areas particularly the mesolimbic system similar to repeated exposure to abused drugs which can affect morphine-seeking behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marjan Nikbakhtzadeh
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ehsan Raeis-Abdollahi
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Qom Medical Branch, Islamic Azad University, Qom, Iran
| | - Esmail Riahi
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
| | - Reza Arezoomandan
- Addiction Department, School of Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health (Tehran Institute of Psychiatry), Iran University of Medical Sciences, Sattarkhan, Niayesh St, Shahid Mansuri Ave, Tehran P.O. Box: 14565-441, Iran.
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40
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Hylin MJ, Watanasriyakul WT, Hite N, McNeal N, Grippo AJ. Morphological changes in the basolateral amygdala and behavioral disruptions associated with social isolation. Behav Brain Res 2022; 416:113572. [PMID: 34499940 PMCID: PMC8492539 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2021.113572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Social isolation and the disruption of established social bonds contribute to several physical and psychological health issues. Animal models are a useful tool for investigating consequences of social stress, including social isolation. The current study examined morphological changes in the basolateral amygdala (BLA) and affect-related behavioral and endocrine changes due to prolonged social isolation, using the translational prairie vole model (Microtus ochrogaster). Adult male prairie voles were either socially paired (control) or isolated from a same-sex sibling for 4 weeks. Following this 4-week period, a subset of animals (n = 6 per condition) underwent a series of behavioral tasks to assess affective, social, and stress-coping behaviors. Plasma was collected following the last behavioral task for stressor-induced endocrine assays. Brains were collected from a separate subset of animals (n = 10 per condition) following the 4-week social housing period for dendritic structure analyses in the BLA. Social isolation was associated with depressive- and anxiety-like behaviors, as well as elevated oxytocin reactivity following a social stressor. Social isolation was also associated with altered amount of dendritic material in the BLA, with an increase in spine density. These results provide further evidence that social isolation may lead to the development of affective disorders. Dysfunction in the oxytocin system and BLA remodeling may mediate these behavioral changes. Further research will promote an understanding of the connections between oxytocin function and structural changes in the BLA in the context of social stress. This research can facilitate novel treatments for alleviating or preventing behavioral and physiological consequences of social stressors in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J. Hylin
- Department of Psychology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL, 62901
| | | | - Natalee Hite
- Department of Physiology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL, 62901
| | - Neal McNeal
- Department of Psychology, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, 60115
| | - Angela J. Grippo
- Department of Psychology, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, 60115,Author for Correspondence: Angela J. Grippo, Ph.D.Department of PsychologyNorthern Illinois University1425 W. Lincoln HighwayDeKalb, IL, 60115 815-753-0372
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41
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Chun EK, Donovan M, Liu Y, Wang Z. Behavioral, neurochemical, and neuroimmune changes associated with social buffering and stress contagion. Neurobiol Stress 2022; 16:100427. [PMID: 35036478 PMCID: PMC8749234 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2022.100427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Social buffering can provide protective effects on stress responses and their subsequent negative health outcomes. Although social buffering is beneficial for the recipient, it can also have anxiogenic effects on the provider of the social buffering - a phenomena referred to as stress contagion. Social buffering and stress contagion usually occur together, but they have traditionally been studied independently, thus limiting our understanding of this dyadic social interaction. In the present study, we examined the effects of preventative social buffering and stress contagion in socially monogamous prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster). We tested the hypothesis that this dynamic social interaction is associated with coordinated alterations in behaviors, neurochemical activation, and neuroimmune responses. To do so, adult male prairie voles were stressed via an acute immobilization restraint tube (IMO) either alone (Alone) or with their previously pair-bonded female partner (Partner) in the cage for 1 h. In contrast, females were placed in a cage containing either an empty IMO tube (Empty) or one that contained their pair-bonded male (Partner). Anxiety-like behavior was tested on the elevated plus maze (EPM) following the 60-mins test and brain sections were processed for neurochemical/neuroimmune marker labeling for all subjects. Our data indicate that females in the Partner group were in contact with and sniffed the IMO tube more, showed fewer anxiety-like behaviors, and had a higher level of oxytocin expression in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) compared to the Empty group females. Males in the Partner group had lower levels of anxiety-like behavior during the EPM test, greater activation of corticotropin-releasing hormone expressing neurons in the PVN, lower activation of serotonin neurons in the dorsal raphe, and lower levels of microgliosis in the nucleus accumbens. Taken together, these data suggest brain region- and neurochemical-specific alterations as well as neuroinflammatory changes that may be involved in the regulation of social buffering and stress contagion behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eileen K. Chun
- Department of Psychology and Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA
| | - Meghan Donovan
- Department of Psychology and Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA
- Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center, Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center, 1700 N Wheeling St, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Yan Liu
- Department of Psychology and Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA
| | - Zuoxin Wang
- Department of Psychology and Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA
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Seraphin SB, Sanchez MM, Whitten PL, Winslow JT. The behavioral neuroendocrinology of dopamine systems in differently reared juvenile male rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta). Horm Behav 2022; 137:105078. [PMID: 34823146 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2021.105078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2018] [Revised: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Dopamine (DA) is a critical neuromodulator of behavior. With propensities for addiction, hyper-activity, cognitive impairment, aggression, and social subordinance, monkeys enduring early maternal deprivation evoke human disorders involving dopaminergic dysfunction. To examine whether DA system alterations shape the behavioral correlates of adverse rearing, male monkeys (Macaca mulatta) were either mother-reared (MR: N = 6), or separated from their mothers at birth and nursery-reared (NR: N = 6). Behavior was assessed during 20-minute observations of subjects interacting with same- or differently-reared peers. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biogenic amines, and serum testosterone (T), cortisol (CORT), and prolactin (PRL) were collected before and after pharmacologic challenge with saline or the DA receptor-2 (DRD2) antagonist Raclopride (RAC). Neuropeptide correlations observed in MR were non-existent in NR monkeys. Compared to MR, NR showed reduced DA tone; higher basal serum T; and lower CSF serotonin (5-HT). RAC increased PRL, T and CORT, but the magnitude of responses varied as a function of rearing. Levels of PRL significantly increased following RAC in MR, but not NR. Elevations in T following RAC were only significant among MR. Contrastingly, the net change (RAC CORT - saline CORT) in CORT was greater in NR than MR. Finally, observations conducted during the juvenile phase in a novel play-arena revealed more aggressive, self-injurious, and repetitive behaviors, which negatively correlated with indexes of dopaminergic tone in NR monkeys. In conclusion, early maternal deprivation alters brain DA systems, and thus may be associated with characteristic cognitive, social, and addiction outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sally B Seraphin
- Department of Anthropology, Emory University, 207 Anthropology Building, 1557 Dickey Drive, Atlanta, GA 30322-1003, United States; Center for Behavioral Neuroscience and Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, 954 Gatewood Rd. NE, Atlanta, GA 30322-0001, United States.
| | - Mar M Sanchez
- Center for Behavioral Neuroscience and Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, 954 Gatewood Rd. NE, Atlanta, GA 30322-0001, United States; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322-1003, United States
| | - Patricia L Whitten
- Department of Anthropology, Emory University, 207 Anthropology Building, 1557 Dickey Drive, Atlanta, GA 30322-1003, United States; Center for Behavioral Neuroscience and Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, 954 Gatewood Rd. NE, Atlanta, GA 30322-0001, United States
| | - James T Winslow
- NIMH IRP Neurobiology Primate Core, NIHAC Bldg. 110, National Institutes of Health (NIH), 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20892-0001, United States
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Duclot F, Sailer L, Koutakis P, Wang Z, Kabbaj M. Transcriptomic Regulations Underlying Pair-bond Formation and Maintenance in the Socially Monogamous Male and Female Prairie Vole. Biol Psychiatry 2022; 91:141-151. [PMID: 33549315 PMCID: PMC8187463 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2020.11.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The ability to form enduring social bonds is characteristic of human nature, and impairments in social affiliation are central features of severe neuropsychiatric disorders including autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia. Owing to its ability to form long-term pair-bonds, the socially monogamous prairie vole has emerged as an excellent model to study the neurobiology of social attachment. Despite the enduring nature of the bond, however, surprisingly few genes have been implicated in the pair-bonding process in either sex. METHODS Male and female prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster) were cohabitated with an opposite-sex partner for 24 hours or 3 weeks, and transcriptomic regulations in the nucleus accumbens were measured by RNA sequencing. RESULTS We found sex-specific response patterns despite similar behavioral indicators of pair-bond establishment. Indeed, 24 hours of cohabitation with an opposite-sex partner induced widespread transcriptomic changes that remained sustained to some extent in females after 3 weeks but returned to baseline before a second set of regulations in males. This led to a highly sexually biased nucleus accumbens transcriptome at 3 weeks related to processes such as neurotransmission, protein turnover, and DNA transcription. In particular, we found sex-specific alterations of mitochondrial dynamics following cohabitation, with a shift toward fission in males. CONCLUSIONS In addition to identifying the genes, networks, and pathways involved in the pair-bonding process in the nucleus accumbens, our work illustrates the vast extent of sex differences in the molecular mechanisms underlying pair-bonding in prairie voles and paves the way to further our understanding of the complex social bonding process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Duclot
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida; Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida.
| | - Lindsay Sailer
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida; Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida
| | - Panagiotis Koutakis
- Department of Nutrition, Food, and Exercise Sciences, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida
| | - Zuoxin Wang
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida
| | - Mohamed Kabbaj
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida; Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida.
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Fogel AS, McLean EM, Gordon JB, Archie EA, Tung J, Alberts SC. Genetic ancestry predicts male-female affiliation in a natural baboon hybrid zone. Anim Behav 2021; 180:249-268. [PMID: 34866638 PMCID: PMC8635413 DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2021.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Opposite-sex social relationships are important predictors of fitness in many animals, including several group-living mammals. Consequently, understanding sources of variance in the tendency to form opposite-sex relationships is important for understanding social evolution. Genetic contributions are of particular interest due to their importance in long-term evolutionary change, but little is known about genetic effects on male-female relationships in social mammals, especially outside of the mating context. Here, we investigate the effects of genetic ancestry on male-female affiliative behaviour in a hybrid zone between the yellow baboon, Papio cynocephalus, and the anubis baboon, Papio anubis, in a population in which male-female social bonds are known predictors of life span. We place our analysis within the context of other social and demographic predictors of affiliative behaviour in baboons. Genetic ancestry was the most consistent predictor of opposite-sex affiliative behaviour we observed, with the exception of strong effects of dominance rank. Our results show that increased anubis genetic ancestry is associated with a subtle, but significantly higher, probability of opposite-sex affiliative behaviour, in both males and females. Additionally, pairs of anubis-like males and anubis-like females were the most likely to socially affiliate, resulting in moderate assortativity in grooming and proximity behaviour as a function of genetic ancestry. Our findings indicate that opposite-sex affiliative behaviour partially diverged during baboon evolution to differentiate yellow and anubis baboons, despite overall similarities in their social structures and mating systems. Furthermore, they suggest that affiliative behaviour may simultaneously promote and constrain baboon admixture, through additive and assortative effects of ancestry, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arielle S. Fogel
- University Program in Genetics and Genomics, Duke University, Durham, NC, U.S.A
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, Duke University, Durham, NC, U.S.A
| | - Emily M. McLean
- University Program in Genetics and Genomics, Duke University, Durham, NC, U.S.A
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC, U.S.A
- Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Oxford College of Emory University, Oxford, GA, U.S.A
| | | | - Elizabeth A. Archie
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, U.S.A
- Institute of Primate Research, National Museums of Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Jenny Tung
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, Duke University, Durham, NC, U.S.A
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC, U.S.A
- Institute of Primate Research, National Museums of Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya
- Duke Population Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, U.S.A
| | - Susan C. Alberts
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, Duke University, Durham, NC, U.S.A
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC, U.S.A
- Institute of Primate Research, National Museums of Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya
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45
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Sakata JT, Catalano I, Woolley SC. Mechanisms, development, and comparative perspectives on experience-dependent plasticity in social behavior. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY PART 2021; 337:35-49. [PMID: 34516724 DOI: 10.1002/jez.2539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Revealing the mechanisms underlying experience-dependent plasticity is a hallmark of behavioral neuroscience. While the study of social behavior has focused primarily on the neuroendocrine and neural control of social behaviors, the plasticity of these innate behaviors has received relatively less attention. Here, we review studies on mating-dependent changes to social behavior and neural circuitry across mammals, birds, and reptiles. We provide an overview of species similarities and differences in the effects of mating experiences on motivational and performative aspects of sexual behaviors, on sensory processing and preferences, and on the experience-dependent consolidation of sexual behavior. We also discuss recent insights into the neural mechanisms of and developmental influences on mating-dependent changes and outline promising approaches to investigate evolutionary parallels and divergences in experience-dependent plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jon T Sakata
- Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, Québec, Canada.,Department of Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Québec, Canada
| | - Isabella Catalano
- Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, Québec, Canada
| | - Sarah C Woolley
- Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, Québec, Canada.,Department of Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Québec, Canada
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Feng Y, Yang Y, Wang Y, Lv X, Zhang X, Wang Y, Zhu Y, Wang Q, He Z, Tai F, Jia R. Sex-dependent effects of pair bond interruption on anxiety- and depression-like behaviors in adult mandarin voles. Behav Processes 2021; 192:104497. [PMID: 34499983 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2021.104497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2021] [Revised: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Stable and positive social bonds are pretty vital to the development of animals. Instability and disruptions of social bonds, such as maternal separation and social isolation, always produce disastrous influence on physiology, neuroendocrine and behaviors. Pair bond is one of the most important social bonds in adulthood. But the different effects of pair bond interruption between males and females are rarely studied. In the present study, the monogamous mandarin voles (Microtus mandarinus) were used to confirm the time window of pair bond formation. After that, voles were separated from their partner for 1 or 2 weeks. Then anxiety- and depression-like behaviors were investigated by using open field test, light-dark box test, tail suspension test and forced swimming test, respectively. The results showed that: (1) cohabitation for 5 days is sufficient and necessary for mandarin voles to form pair bond; (2) loss of partner is always crucial for the effects of pair bond interruption, while social isolation works in certain behavioral tests.; (3) pair bond interruption for 2 weeks significantly increased the level of anxiety and depression in adult males, but not female mandarin voles. Overall, this research suggested that loss of partner plays a key role in pair bond interruption in male mandarin voles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiqin Feng
- Institute of Brain and Behavioral Science, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710119, China
| | - Yuying Yang
- Institute of Brain and Behavioral Science, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710119, China
| | - Yuan Wang
- Institute of Brain and Behavioral Science, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710119, China
| | - Xiaohuan Lv
- Institute of Brain and Behavioral Science, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710119, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- Institute of Brain and Behavioral Science, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710119, China
| | - Yuqian Wang
- Institute of Brain and Behavioral Science, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710119, China
| | - Yunmeng Zhu
- Institute of Brain and Behavioral Science, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710119, China
| | - Qiao Wang
- Institute of Brain and Behavioral Science, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710119, China
| | - Zhixiong He
- Institute of Brain and Behavioral Science, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710119, China
| | - Fadao Tai
- Institute of Brain and Behavioral Science, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710119, China.
| | - Rui Jia
- Institute of Brain and Behavioral Science, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710119, China; MOE Key Laboratory of Modern Teaching Technology, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710062, China.
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47
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Demarchi L, Pawluski JL, Bosch OJ. The brain oxytocin and corticotropin-releasing factor systems in grieving mothers: What we know and what we need to learn. Peptides 2021; 143:170593. [PMID: 34091013 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2021.170593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The bond between a mother and her child is the strongest bond in nature. Consequently, the loss of a child is one of the most stressful and traumatic life events that causes Prolonged Grief Disorder in up to 94 % of bereaved parents. While both parents are affected, mothers are of higher risk to develop mental health complications; yet, very little research has been done to understand the impact of the loss of a child, stillbirth and pregnancy loss on key neurobiological systems. The emotional impact of losing a child, e.g., Prolonged Grief Disorder, is likely accompanied by dysregulations in neural systems important for mental health. Among those are the neuropeptides contributing to attachment and stress processing. In this review, we present evidence for the involvement of the brain oxytocin (OXT) and corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) systems, which both play a role in maternal behavior and the stress response, in the neurobiology of grief in mothers from a behavioral and molecular point of view. We will draw conclusions from reviewing relevant animal and human studies. However, the paucity of research on the tragic end to an integral bond in a female's life calls for the need and responsibility to conduct further studies on mothers experiencing the loss of a child both in the clinic and in appropriate animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luisa Demarchi
- Department of Behavioural and Molecular Neurobiology, Regensburg Center of Neuroscience, University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany.
| | - Jodi L Pawluski
- Univ Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail), UMR_S, 1085 Rennes, France.
| | - Oliver J Bosch
- Department of Behavioural and Molecular Neurobiology, Regensburg Center of Neuroscience, University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany.
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48
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Gillera SEA, Marinello WP, Cao KT, Horman BM, Stapleton HM, Patisaul HB. Sex-specific Disruption of the Prairie Vole Hypothalamus by Developmental Exposure to a Flame Retardant Mixture. Endocrinology 2021; 162:6285199. [PMID: 34038511 PMCID: PMC8571712 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqab100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Prevalence of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) with social deficits is conspicuously rising, particularly in boys. Flame retardants (FRs) have long been associated with increased risk, and prior work by us and others in multiple species has shown that developmental exposure to the common FR mixture Firemaster 550 (FM 550) sex-specifically alters socioemotional behaviors including anxiety and pair bond formation. In rats, FRs have also been shown to impair aspects of osmoregulation. Because vasopressin (AVP) plays a role in both socioemotional behavior and osmotic balance we hypothesized that AVP and its related nonapeptide oxytocin (OT) would be vulnerable to developmental FM 550 exposure. We used the prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaste) to test this because it is spontaneously prosocial. Using siblings of prairie voles used in a prior study that assessed behavioral deficits resulting from developmental FM 550 exposure across 3 doses, here we tested the hypothesis that FM 550 sex-specifically alters AVP and OT neuronal populations in critical nuclei, such as the paraventricular nucleus (PVN), that coordinate those behaviors, as well as related dopaminergic (determined by tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunolabeling) populations. Exposed females had fewer AVP neurons in the anterior PVN and more A13 TH neurons in the zona incerta than controls. By contrast, in FM 550 males, A13 TH neuron numbers in the zona incerta were decreased but only in 1 dose group. These results expand on previous work showing evidence of endocrine disruption of OT/AVP pathways, including to subpopulations of PVN AVP neurons that coordinate osmoregulatory functions in the periphery.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - William P Marinello
- Department of Biological Sciences, NC State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Kevin T Cao
- Department of Biological Sciences, NC State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Brian M Horman
- Department of Biological Sciences, NC State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Heather M Stapleton
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Levine Science Research Center, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Heather B Patisaul
- Department of Biological Sciences, NC State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
- Center for Human Health and the Environment, NC State University, Raleigh NC 27695, USA
- Correspondence: Heather B Patisaul, Professor of Biological Sciences, NC State University, 127 David Clark Labs, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA. E-mail:
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49
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Krentzel AA, Kimble LC, Dorris DM, Horman BM, Meitzen J, Patisaul HB. FireMaster® 550 (FM 550) exposure during the perinatal period impacts partner preference behavior and nucleus accumbens core medium spiny neuron electrophysiology in adult male and female prairie voles, Microtus ochrogaster. Horm Behav 2021; 134:105019. [PMID: 34182292 PMCID: PMC8403633 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2021.105019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
One of the most widely used flame retardant (FR) mixtures in household products is Firemaster 550 (FM 550). FM 550 leaches from items such as foam-based furniture and infant products, resulting in contamination of the household environment and biota. Previous studies indicate sex-specific behavioral deficits in rodents and zebrafish in response to developmental FM 550 exposure. These deficits include impacts on social and attachment behaviors in a prosocial rodent: the prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster). The prairie vole is a laboratory-acclimated rodent that exhibits spontaneous attachment behaviors including pair bonding. Here we extend previous work by addressing how developmental exposure to FM 550 impacts pair bonding strength via an extended-time partner preference test, as well as neuron electrophysiological properties in a region implicated in pair bond behavior, the nucleus accumbens (NAcc) core. Dams were exposed to vehicle or 1000 μg of FM 550 via subcutaneous injections throughout gestation, and female and male pups were directly exposed beginning the day after birth until weaning. Pair bond behavior of adult female and male offspring was assessed using a three hour-long partner preference test. Afterwards, acute brain slices of the NAcc core were produced and medium spiny neuron electrophysiological attributes recorded via whole cell patch-clamp. Behavioral impacts were sex-specific. Partner preference behavior was increased in exposed females but decreased in exposed males. Electrophysiological impacts were similar between sexes and specific to attributes related to input resistance. Input resistance was decreased in neurons recorded from both sexes exposed to FM 550 compared to vehicle. This study supports the hypothesis that developmental exposure to FM 550 impacts attachment behaviors and demonstrates a novel FM 550 effect on neural electrophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda A Krentzel
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Laney C Kimble
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - David M Dorris
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Brian M Horman
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - John Meitzen
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA; Center for Human Health and the Environment, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA; Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA.
| | - Heather B Patisaul
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA; Center for Human Health and the Environment, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
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50
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Rogers FD, Freeman SM, Anderson M, Palumbo MC, Bales KL. Compositional variation in early-life parenting structures alters oxytocin and vasopressin 1a receptor development in prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster). J Neuroendocrinol 2021; 33:e13001. [PMID: 34189787 PMCID: PMC8486352 DOI: 10.1111/jne.13001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Paternal absence can significantly alter bio-behavioural development in many biparental species. This effect has generally been demonstrated by comparing the development of offspring reared under biparental care with those reared by a single mother. However, studies employing this design conflate two significant modifications to early-life experience: removal of father-specific qualities and the general reduction of offspring-directed care. In the socially monogamous prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster), the experience of paternal absence without substitution during development inhibits partner preference formation in adulthood, a hallmark of social monogamy, in females and males. Employing alloparents as substitutes for fathers, our previous work demonstrated that paternal absence affects pair-bond formation in female offspring via reduced quantity of care, although it affects pair-bond formation in male offspring by means of a missing paternal quality (or qualities). Here, we present evidence that paternal absence (with and without alloparental substitution) may alter the ontogeny of neural oxytocin receptor (OXTR) and/or vasopressin 1a receptor (AVPR1a) distribution in male and female prairie voles. Compared to biparentally reared controls (BPC), male offspring reared in mother only (MON) and maternal-plus-alloparental (MPA) conditions show lower densities of OXTR in the central amygdala; and MPA males show lower densities of OXTR in the caudate putamen and nucleus accumbens. Early-life experience was not associated with differences in AVPR1a density in males. However, MON and MPA females show greater densities of AVPR1a in the medial amygdala than BPC; and MPA females show greater densities of AVPR1a in the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus. We also demonstrate with corticosterone concentrations that MON and MPA offspring are not differentially susceptible to a stressor (ie, social isolation) than BPC offspring. These findings suggest that paternal absence, although likely not a salient early-life stressor, has neuroendocrine consequences for offspring, some of which may affect partner preference formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Forrest D Rogers
- Psychology Graduate Program, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Sara M Freeman
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
- California National Primate Research Center, Davis, CA, USA
- Department of Biology, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA
| | - Marina Anderson
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
- California National Primate Research Center, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Michelle C Palumbo
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
- California National Primate Research Center, Davis, CA, USA
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Karen L Bales
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
- California National Primate Research Center, Davis, CA, USA
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