Journal
HORMONES AND BEHAVIOR
Volume 52, Issue 2, Pages 274-279Publisher
ACADEMIC PRESS INC ELSEVIER SCIENCE
DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2007.05.004
Keywords
oxytocin; development; monogamy; pair-bonding; alloparenting; parental behavior
Categories
Funding
- NICHD NIH HHS [F32 HD008702-03, P01 HD038490-02, P01 HD038490-04, P01 HD038490-01, F32 HD008702, P01 HD038490, P01 HD38490, F32 HD08702, P01 HD038490-03, F32 HD008702-01, P01 HD038490-05, F32 HD008702-02] Funding Source: Medline
- NIMH NIH HHS [R01 MH073022-03, R01 MH073022, R01 MH073022-02] Funding Source: Medline
- PHS HHS [R01 073022] Funding Source: Medline
Ask authors/readers for more resources
The present study examines the developmental consequences of neonatal exposure to oxytocin on adult social behaviors in female prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster). Female neonates were injected within 24 It of birth with isotonic saline or one of four dosages of oxytocin (OT). As adults, females were tested in an elevated plus-maze paradigm (a measure of anxiety and exploratory behavior), and for alloparental behavior and partner preferences. At 2 mg/kg OT, females took longer to approach pups, but were the only group to form a statistically significant within-group partner preference. At 4 mg/kg OT, females retrieved pups significantly more frequently but no longer displayed a partner preference; while females treated developmentally with 8 mg/kg spent significantly more time in side-to-side contact with a male stranger than any other treatment group. OT may have broad developmental consequences, but these effects are not linear and may both increase and decrease the propensity to display behaviors such as pair-bonding. (c) 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available