Oxytocin Receptors Regulate Social Preference in Zebrafish

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Behavioral Biology
• Comparative Endocrinology

Background:

• Zebrafish are a valuable model for studying social behavior due to their innate sociability.
• Oxytocin is vital for mammalian social behavior, but its fish orthologue, isotocin (zebrafish oxytocin, zOT), role remains unclear.
• Understanding zOT's function can inform treatments for social impairments like autism spectrum disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the receptor specificity of zebrafish oxytocin (zOT) and vasopressin (zVP) receptors.
• To investigate the effect of the oxytocin receptor antagonist L-368,899 on social preference in zebrafish.
• To explore the involvement of endogenous zOT and zVP in zebrafish social behavior.

Main Methods:

• Ligand potencies were assessed for zOT/zVP family receptors in HEK293 cells.
• Adult and larval zebrafish were treated with L-368,899 or a vehicle control.
• Social behavior and anxiety levels were evaluated post-treatment.

Main Results:

• L-368,899 selectively inhibited the two zOT receptors, leaving zVP-1 receptors unaffected.
• The antagonist significantly reduced social preference in both adult and larval zebrafish.
• No significant effect on anxiety levels was observed in adult zebrafish.

Conclusions:

• Endogenous zOT, and potentially zVP, plays a role in zebrafish social behavior through zOT receptors.
• The antagonist L-368,899 effectively modulates social preference, highlighting the therapeutic potential of targeting these pathways.
• These findings provide a foundation for further research into the neuroanatomy and evolution of social behavior networks.