Variation in oxytocin receptor density in the nucleus accumbens has differential effects on affiliative behaviors in monogamous and polygamous voles
Open accessAbstract
Oxytocin receptors in the nucleus accumbens have been implicated in the regulation of alloparental behavior and pair bond formation in the socially monogamous prairie vole. Oxytocin receptor density in the nucleus accumbens is positively correlated with alloparenting in juvenile and adult female prairie voles, and oxytocin receptor antagonist infused into the nucleus accumbens blocks this behavior. Furthermore, prairie voles have higher densities of oxytocin receptors in the accumbens than nonmonogamous rodent species, and blocking accumbal oxytocin receptors prevents mating-induced partner preference formation. Here we used adeno-associated viral vector gene transfer to examine the functional relationship between accumbal oxytocin receptor density and social behavior in prairie and meadow voles. Adult female prairie voles that overexpress oxytocin receptor in the nucleus accumbens displayed accelerated partner preference formation after cohabitation with a male, but did not display enhanced alloparental behavior. However, partner preference was not facilitated in nonmonogamous meadow voles by introducing oxytocin receptor into the nucleus accumbens. These data confirm a role for oxytocin receptor in the accumbens in the regulation of partner preferences in female prairie voles, and suggest that oxytocin receptor expression in the accumbens is not sufficient to promote partner preferences in nonmonogamous species. These data are the first to demonstrate a direct relationship between oxytocin receptor density in the nucleus accumbens and variation in social attachment behaviors. Thus, individual variation in oxytocin receptor expression in the striatum may contribute to natural diversity in social behaviors.
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OT is increased in the plasma during sexual arousal and ejaculation or orgasm in humans.
“It has been shown that OT is increased in the plasma during sexual arousal and ejaculation or orgasm in humans [112] similar to the release seen in prairie voles during mating [59] and rats and sheep following vaginocervical stimulation [31, 113, 114].”
From Oxytocin and the Neural Mechanisms Regulating Social Cognition and Affiliative Behavior (2009) · cites this paper as [112]
OXTR density varies between individual prairie voles, especially in the nucleus accumbens and caudate putamen.
“OXTR density also varies between individual prairie voles, especially in the NAcc along with the CP (36).”
From Variation in the Oxytocin Receptor Gene Predicts Brain Region–Specific Expression and Social Attachment (2016) · cites this paper as [36]
The study confirms a genetic contribution of naturally occurring OXTR density differences to individual variation in social behavior.
“Here, we confirm a genetic role for naturally occurring OXTR density differences that contribute to individual variation in social behavior (36, 40).”
From Variation in the Oxytocin Receptor Gene Predicts Brain Region–Specific Expression and Social Attachment (2016) · cites this paper as [36]
Approximately 60% of adult female prairie voles display spontaneous maternal nurturing toward novel pups, while 40% either ignore or attack pups.
“Approximately 60% of adult females display spontaneous maternal nurturing toward novel pups, while 40% either ignore or attack pups [33–35].”
From The prairie vole: An emerging model organism for understanding the social brain (2010) · cites this paper as [35]
Over-expressing OTR within the NAcc of prairie voles using viral vector mediated gene transfer accelerates the formation of a partner preference in female prairie voles.
“For example, over-expressing OTR within the NAcc of prairie voles using viral vector mediated gene transfer accelerates the formation of a partner preference in female prairie voles (Figure 1B) [16].”
From The prairie vole: An emerging model organism for understanding the social brain (2010) · cites this paper as [16]
Viral vector-mediated over-expression of OTR within the NAcc of adult female prairie voles does not result in enhanced alloparental behavior, even though partner preference formation is accelerated in those same animals.
“Although high densities of OTR within the NAcc are correlated with high levels of alloparental care in females, viral vector-mediated over-expression of OTR within the NAcc of adult female prairie voles does not result in enhanced alloparental behavior, even though partner preference formation is accelerated in those same animals [35].”
From The prairie vole: An emerging model organism for understanding the social brain (2010) · cites this paper as [35]
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References 47 · Cited by 322
- Authors
- Ross, H. E., Freeman, S. M., Spiegel, L. L., Ren, X., Terwilliger, E. F., & Young, L. J.
- Affiliations
- Emory University (US)
- Emory National Primate Research Center (US)
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (US)
- Harvard University (US)
- Venue
- The Journal of Neuroscience
- Publisher
- Society for Neuroscience
- Published
- 2009-02-04
- Volume
- 29
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 1312-1318
- ISSN
- 0270-6474 (ISSN-L)
- 1529-2401
- PMC
- PMC2768419
- OpenAlex
- W2034767167
- Cited by
- 322
- References
- 47
- Citations by year
- 2026: 10 · 2025: 17 · 2024: 17 · 2023: 17 · 2022: 19 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 9 · 2019: 11 · 2018: 29 · 2017: 16 · 2016: 33 · 2015: 27 · 2014: 16 · 2013: 30 · 2012: 20
- FWCI
- 27.31
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- hybrid
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Journal of Neuroscience (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-sa)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Science Foundation (9876754)
- National Institutes of Health (IBN-9876754, RR‐00165)
- National Institute of Mental Health (K02MH064692, MH064692, R01MH056538)
- National Center for Research Resources (RR-00 165, P51RR000165)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics › Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Keywords
- oxytocin receptor, nucleus accumbens, Microtus ochrogaster, Microtus pennsylvanicus, monogamy, polygamy, mate preferences, pair bonding, social attachment, striatum
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Arvicolinae, Female, Male, Nucleus Accumbens, Pair Bond, Sexual Behavior, Animal, Social Behavior, Receptors, Oxytocin, Mating Preference, Animal
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