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Cited by 222Neuroendocrine regulation and behaviorNeurotransmitter Receptor Influence on BehaviorOlfactory and Sensory Function Studies

Dopamine, oxytocin, and vasopressin receptor binding in the medial prefrontal cortex of monogamous and promiscuous voles

Smeltzer, Michael D., Curtis, J. Thomas, Aragona, Brandon J., Wang, Zuoxin·2006·Neuroscience Letters
DOI 10.1016/j.neulet.2005.10.019
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Abstract

Comparisons between monogamous and promiscuous vole species have proven useful in examining neurobiological mechanisms underlying social attachment. Reward processing is important for social attachment, and the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) exerts a direct influence on reward pathways. Dopamine (DA), oxytocin (OT), and arginine vasopressin (AVP) all have been implicated in the regulation of social attachment in monogamous voles. Therefore, we used radiolabeled ligands to examine dopamine D(1)- and D(2)-like, OT, and AVP V(1a) receptor binding densities in the mPFC of monogamous and promiscuous voles. Species differences were found; monogamous voles had higher densities of D(2)-like and OT receptor binding and lower densities of D(1)-like and V(1a) receptor binding than did promiscuous voles. Sex differences also were found; females had higher densities of OT receptor binding but lower densities of V(1a) receptor binding than did males in both species. Further, the laminar distribution of receptor binding indicates the possibility of an interaction between DA and OT systems in the mPFC in the regulation of social attachment. Differences in D(1)- and D(2)-like receptor binding between species are discussed in terms of how they might modulate cortical activity and subsequent DA release in the nucleus accumbens (NAcc).

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  • In voles, monogamous versus polygamous behavior is associated with higher density of dopamine D2 receptors in medial prefrontal cortex and oxytocin receptors in medial prefrontal cortex, NAcc, and caudate putamen.

    “Furthermore, in different species of voles, a monogamous, as opposed to polygamous, pattern of behavior is associated with a higher density of dopamine D2 receptors (D2R) in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) (3) and of OXT receptors (OXTR) in mPFC, NAcc, and caudate putamen (4,5).”

    From Oxytocin enhances brain reward system responses in men viewing the face of their female partner (2013) · cites this paper as [3]

  • A sex difference for V1aR was found in the medial prefrontal cortex, with higher V1aR binding in male prairie and montane voles compared to females.

    “a sex difference for V1aR was found in the medial prefrontal cortex with higher V1aR binding in male prairie and montane voles compared to females in Smeltzer et al., (2006).”

    From Vasopressin and oxytocin receptor systems in the brain: Sex differences and sex-specific regulation of social behavior (2016) · cites this paper as Smeltzer et al., (2006)

  • The sex-specific effects of the VP system appear independent of whether sex differences in VP and/or V1aR binding are present.

    “Interestingly, these sex-specific effects seem to be independent of whether sex differences are found in VP and/or V1aR binding (rats; Figs. 1 and 2) or whether no sex differences are found in VP and/or V1aR binding (prairie voles: Insel et al., 1991; Smeltzer et al., 2006; humans: Loup et al., 1991).”

    From Vasopressin and oxytocin receptor systems in the brain: Sex differences and sex-specific regulation of social behavior (2016) · cites this paper as Smeltzer et al., 2006

  • Other rodent studies that did not find sex differences in OTR binding analyzed only a few brain regions.

    “other rodent studies that did not find sex differences in OTR binding analyzed only a few brain regions”

    From Vasopressin and oxytocin receptor systems in the brain: Sex differences and sex-specific regulation of social behavior (2016) · cites this paper as Smeltzer et al., 2006

  • Monogamous prairie voles exhibit lower concentrations of D1-like receptors and higher concentrations of D2-like receptors within the medial prefrontal cortex compared to more promiscuous counterparts.

    “For instance, monogamous prairie voles exhibit lower concentrations of D1-like receptors and higher concentrations of D2-like receptors within the medial prefrontal cortex compared to their more promiscuous counterparts (Smeltzer et al., 2006).”

    From Oxytocin, motivation and the role of dopamine (2014) · cites this paper as Smeltzer et al., 2006

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Authors
Smeltzer, M. D., Curtis, J. T., Aragona, B. J., & Wang, Z.
Affiliations
Florida State University (US)
Corresponding author
Wang, Zuoxin
ORCID
Venue
Neuroscience Letters
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2006-02
Volume
394
Issue
2
Pages
146-151
ISSN
0304-3940 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.neulet.2005.10.019
OpenAlex
W2163888128
Cited by
222
References
48
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 14 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 12 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 14 · 2018: 25 · 2017: 24 · 2016: 10 · 2015: 16 · 2014: 13 · 2013: 16 · 2012: 11
FWCI
3.57
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
Locations
  • Neuroscience Letters (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • John Tracy Clinic
  • National Institutes of Health (DA19627, MH58616, HD40722, NS07437)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Sensory Systems › Olfactory and Sensory Function Studies
Keywords
social attachment, monogamy, promiscuity, voles, medial prefrontal cortex, dopamine D1 receptor, dopamine D2 receptor, oxytocin receptor, receptor binding density, sex differences, laminar distribution, nucleus accumbens, reward processing, species differences
MeSH terms
Analysis of Variance, Animals, Arginine Vasopressin, Autoradiography, Benzazepines, Arvicolinae, Dopamine, Female, Iodine Isotopes, Male, Oxytocin, Protein Binding, Sex Factors, Social Behavior, Species Specificity, Spiperone, Vasotocin, Prefrontal Cortex, Receptors, Vasopressin, Dopamine Antagonists

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