Developmental exposure to vasopressin increases aggression in adult prairie voles

Stribley, John M.; Carter, C. Sue

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/14475 Copy

Description

Title

Developmental exposure to vasopressin increases aggression in adult prairie voles

Author(s)

• Stribley, John M.
• Carter, C. Sue

Issue Date

1999-10

Keyword(s)

• Animal behavior
• Biological development
• Embryology
• Morphogenesis
• Voles
• Biochemistry

Abstract

Although the biological roots of aggression have been the source of intense debate, the precise physiological mechanisms responsible for aggression remain poorly understood. In most species, aggression is more common in males than females; thus, gonadal hormones have been a focal point for research in this field. Although gonadal hormones have been shown to influence the expression of aggression, in many cases aggression can continue after castration, indicating that testicular steroids are not completely essential for the expression of aggression. Recently, the mammalian neuropeptide arginine vasopressin (AVP) has been implicated in aggression. AVP plays a particularly important role in social behavior in monogamous mammals, such as prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster). In turn, the effects of social experiences may be mediated by neuropeptides, including AVP. For example, sexually naive prairie voles are rarely aggressive. However, 24 h after the onset of mating, males of this species become significantly aggressive toward strangers. Likewise, in adult male prairie voles, central (intracerebroventricular) injections of AVP can significantly increase intermale aggression, suggesting a role for AVP in the expression of postcopulatory aggression in adult male prairie voles. In this paper, we demonstrate that early postnatal exposure to AVP can have long-lasting effects on the tendency to show aggression, producing levels of aggression in sexually naive, adult male prairie voles that are comparable to those levels observed after mating. Females showed less aggression and were less responsive to exogenous AVP, but the capacity of an AVP V1a receptor antagonist to block female aggression also implicates AVP in the development of female aggression.

Publisher

The National Academy of Sciences

Type of Resource

text

Language

en

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/14475

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 1999 National Academy of Sciences

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