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Chronic central oxytocin infusion impairs sociability in mandarin voles
Peirong Du1, Zhixiong He1, Zhenlu Cai1
1Institute of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710100, China.
Abstract:
Oxytocin (OT) has been reported to increase social contact, however some studies have related OT to reduced social contact, particularly with unfamiliar individuals. The underlying mechanisms of OT on social contact remain unclear. In this study, male mandarin vole (Microtus mandarinus), a socially monogamous rodent, was used as an animal model in which osmotic minipumps were used to intracerebroventricularly administer two dosages of OT or saline for 12 consecutive days. We examined the effect of long-term OT treatment on social behavior, anxiety levels, and levels of oxytocin, vasopressin (AVP) and dopamine (DA) receptors mRNA expression in the nucleus accumbens (NAcc), and medial amygdala (MeA). The data showed that chronic central OT infusion decreased social preference behavior (a reduction of preference for interacting with novel social stimulus relative to a novel object) concomitant to a reduction of OT receptors in the NAcc and MeA. We also found alterations in AVP and DA receptor levels in the NAcc and MeA after treatment with OT. Moreover, chronic central OT treatment did not affect levels of anxiety-related behavior in male voles. In conclusion, these results indicated that chronic OT treatment may differ from the treatment effects predicted in short-term studies, and significant dosage effects were observed.
Insights
Chronic central oxytocin (OT) infusion in male mandarin voles reduced social preference and OT receptors. Long-term OT treatment effects on social behavior differ from short-term predictions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral Endocrinology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Oxytocin (OT) effects on social contact are debated, with some studies showing increases and others decreases, particularly with unfamiliar individuals.
- The precise mechanisms underlying OT's influence on social behavior remain incompletely understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the long-term effects of central oxytocin administration on social behavior, anxiety, and receptor expression in the nucleus accumbens (NAcc) and medial amygdala (MeA) of male mandarin voles.
- To explore potential alterations in oxytocin, vasopressin (AVP), and dopamine (DA) receptor mRNA expression following chronic OT treatment.
Main Methods:
- Male mandarin voles received intracerebroventricular infusions of two OT dosages or saline via osmotic minipumps for 12 consecutive days.
- Social preference behavior, anxiety-related behaviors, and mRNA expression levels of OT, AVP, and DA receptors in the NAcc and MeA were assessed.
Main Results:
- Chronic central OT infusion significantly decreased social preference behavior, indicated by reduced interaction with novel social stimuli compared to novel objects.
- A concomitant reduction in oxytocin receptors was observed in the NAcc and MeA.
- Alterations in vasopressin and dopamine receptor levels were detected in the NAcc and MeA post-OT treatment.
- Anxiety-related behaviors in male voles were not significantly affected by chronic central OT treatment.
Conclusions:
- Long-term central oxytocin administration in male mandarin voles can decrease social preference, contrary to some short-term study predictions.
- Observed changes in oxytocin receptor density in key brain regions (NAcc, MeA) may mediate these effects.
- Significant dosage-dependent effects of chronic OT treatment were noted, highlighting the complexity of its role in social behavior regulation.
