Cited by 128Neuroendocrine regulation and behaviorNeuropeptides and Animal PhysiologyNeurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior

Acute prosocial effects of oxytocin and vasopressin when given alone or in combination with 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine in rats: involvement of the V1A receptor

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Ramos, Linnet, Hicks, Callum, Kevin, Richard, Caminer, Alex, Narlawar, Rajeshwar, Kassiou, Michael, McGregor, Iain S·2013·Neuropsychopharmacology

Abstract

The neuropeptides oxytocin (OT) and vasopressin (AVP) are recognized for their modulation of social processes in humans when delivered peripherally. However, there is surprisingly little evidence for acute social effects of peripherally administered OT or AVP in animal models. On the other hand, the party drug 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, 'Ecstasy') has powerful prosocial effects in rats that appear to occur through stimulation of central OT release. Here, we directly compared the social effects of peripherally administered OT and AVP with those of MDMA, and examined a possible role for the vasopressin 1A receptor (V1AR) in the observed prosocial effects. Adult male Long-Evans rats were tested in a social interaction paradigm after OT (0.1, 0.25, 0.5, and 1 mg/kg, intraperitoneal (IP)), AVP (0.001, 0.0025, 0.005, 0.01, and 0.1 mg/kg, IP), and MDMA (2.5, 5 mg/kg, IP), or combined low doses of OT and MDMA, or AVP and MDMA. The effects of pretreatment with the non-peptide OT receptor antagonist compound 25 (C25; 5 mg/kg, IP) and the V1AR antagonist SR49059 (1 mg/kg, IP) were also examined. OT (0.5 mg/kg), AVP (0.01 mg/kg), and MDMA (5 mg/kg) potently increased 'adjacent lying', where rats meeting for the first time lie passively next to each other. C25 did not inhibit adjacent lying induced by OT, whereas SR49059 inhibited adjacent lying induced by MDMA (5 mg/kg), OT (0.5 mg/kg), and AVP (0.01 mg/kg). Interestingly, when ineffective doses of OT and MDMA, or AVP and MDMA, were combined, a robust increase in adjacent lying was observed. These results show for the first time acute prosocial effects of peripherally injected OT and AVP in laboratory rats, and suggest a commonality of action of OT, AVP, and MDMA in stimulating social behavior that involves V1ARs.

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Crossref · 10.1038/npp.2013.125

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Authors
Ramos, L., Hicks, C., Kevin, R., Caminer, A., Narlawar, R., Kassiou, M., & McGregor, I. S.
Affiliations
The University of Sydney (AU)
Corresponding author
McGregor, Iain S
Venue
Neuropsychopharmacology
Published
2013-05-16
Volume
38
Issue
11
Pages
2249-2259
ISSN
  • 0893-133X (ISSN-L)
  • 1740-634X
OpenAlex
W2033282483
Cited by
128
References
76
Citations by year
2026: 6 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 12 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 14 · 2016: 17 · 2015: 19 · 2014: 17
FWCI
26.44
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Neuropsychopharmacology (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • Medical Research Council
  • Australian Research Council
  • National Health and Medical Research Council (1011518, 1033444)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuropeptides and Animal Physiology
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
Keywords
oxytocin, vasopressin, MDMA, ecstasy, prosocial behavior, vasopressin V1a receptor, social interaction, neuropeptides, drug combination effects
MeSH terms
Animals, Dose-Response Relationship, Drug, Drug Synergism, Hallucinogens, Hormone Antagonists, Indoles, Male, Oxytocin, Pyrrolidines, Social Behavior, Vasopressins, Receptors, Vasopressin, Receptors, Oxytocin, N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine, Rats, Antidiuretic Hormone Receptor Antagonists

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