Reunion with a peer partner reduces PVN oxytocin neuron immunoreactivity in socially selective voles

Friendships-i.e. selective peer relationships-are an important aspect of human behavior, but are rare in rodent species. Meadow voles are seasonally social rodents that form non-reproductive social groups in winter/short day lengths that are selective in nature. Across rodents, oxytocin neurons in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus are typically active during socially salient events, including interaction with novel individuals as well as social separation. To assess whether familiar and novel peer interactions produce different patterns of immunolabeling in a species that forms bonds with familiar individuals, we measured oxytocin neuron immunoreactivity and colabeling with the immediate early gene product cFos. Oxytocin labeling and oxytocin/cFos colabeling were higher after interaction with a novel same-sex conspecific than after reunion with a peer partner. Colabeling was also high after 24 h separation without reunion. Circulating corticosterone concentrations paralleled PVN oxytocin neuron activity. We also investigated whether oxytocin signaling was photoperiod dependent and could contribute to seasonal differences in meadow vole social behavior. Oxytocin receptor densities are known to be higher in multiple brain regions in short day lengths in meadow voles, but we found no concomitant change in PVN oxytocin positive cell count. Together these studies indicate that seasonal changes in behavior correlate with oxytocin signaling at the receptor level, while short term experiences modulated oxytocin neuron activity differentially by social context.