Research article summary (published 29 Sep 2009):

Central vasopressin and oxytocin receptor distributions in two species of singing mice.

Full Abstract

The neuropeptides arginine vasopressin (AVP) and oxytocin (OT) are key modulators of vertebrate sociality. Although some general behavioral functions of AVP and OT are broadly conserved, the detailed consequences of peptide release seem to be regulated by species-specific patterns of receptor distribution. We used autoradiography to characterize central vasopressin 1a receptor (V1aR) and OT receptor (OTR) distributions in two species of singing mice, ecologically specialized Central American rodents with a highly developed form of vocal communication. While both species exhibited high V1aR binding in the auditory thalamus (medial geniculate), binding in structures involved in vocal production (periaqueductal gray and anterior hypothalamus) was significantly higher in the more vocal species, Scotinomys teguina. In S. xerampelinus, receptor binding was significantly higher in a suite of interconnected structures implicated in social and spatial memory, including OTR in the hippocampus and medial amygdala, and V1aR in the anterior and laterodorsal thalamus. This pattern is concordant with species differences in population density and social spacing, which should favor enhanced sociospatial memory in S. xerampelinus. We propose that V1aR and OTR distributions in singing mice support an integral role for the AVP/OT system in several aspects of sociality, including vocal communication and sociospatial memory.

Author information

Author/s: Campbell, Polly (P); Ophir, Alexander G (AG); Phelps, Steven M (SM);

Affiliation: Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, USA. pcampbel(-atsign-)ufl.edu

Grants: F32 DC008269 (Agency:NIDCD NIH HHS)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Comparative Study; Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

Journal: The Journal of comparative neurology (J Comp Neurol), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Oct; vol 516 (issue 4) : pp 321-33

Dates: Created 2009/08/11; Completed 2009/11/02;

PMID: 19637308, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/2/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Amygdala - metabolism Animal Communication Animals Arvicolinae - metabolism Brain - metabolism Geniculate Bodies - metabolism Hippocampus - metabolism

Hippocampus - metabolism Receptors, Oxytocin - metabolism Receptors, Vasopressin - metabolism Social Behavior Species Specificity Thalamus - metabolism Tissue Distribution

Associated Chemicals: Receptors, Oxytocin (0) ; Receptors, Vasopressin (0)

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