OxytocinSynthesis, Secretion, and Reproductive Functions

Burbach, J. Peter H.; Young, Larry J.; Russell, John A.

doi:10.1016/b978-012515400-0/50063-4

Cited by 78 publications

(69 citation statements)

References 754 publications

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“…There is now extensive evidence that changes in forebrain nonapeptide concentrations can alter behaviour [7][8][9][10][11][12], and endogenous variation in the hypothalamic expression of nonapeptides has been linked to individual, sex, and species variation in social behaviours [6,[13][14][15][16][17]. In mammals, for example, VP has been demonstrated to mediate social recognition, pairbonding behaviour, and aggressive behaviours associated with social status [18,19], while VP's mammalian counterpart OT regulates filial bonding, maternal behaviours, and sexual behaviours [20,21].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Arginine Vasotocin, Isotocin and Nonapeptide Receptor Gene Expression Link to Social Status and Aggression in Sex‐Dependent Patterns

Lema

Sanders

Walti

2015

J Neuroendocrinology

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Nonapeptide hormones of the vasopressin/oxytocin family regulate social behaviours. In mammals and birds, variation in behaviour also is linked to expression patterns of the V1a-type receptor and the oxytocin/mesotocin receptor in the brain. Genome duplications, however, expand the diversity of nonapeptide receptors in actinopterygian fishes, and two distinct V1a-type receptors (v1a1 and v1a2) for vasotocin, as well as at least two V2-type receptors (v2a and v2b), have been identified in these taxa. The present study investigates how aggression connected to social status relates to the abundance patterns of gene transcripts encoding four vasotocin receptors, an isotocin receptor (itr), pro-vasotocin (proVT) and pro-isotocin (proIT) in the brain of the pupfish Cyprinodon nevadensis amargosae. Sexually-mature pupfish were maintained in mixed-sex social groups and assessed for individual variation in aggressive behaviours. Males in these groups behaved more aggressively than females, and larger fish exhibited higher aggression relative to smaller fish of the same sex. Hypothalamic proVT transcript abundance was elevated in dominant males compared to subordinate males, and correlated positively with individual variation in aggression in both social classes. Transcripts encoding vasotocin receptor v1a1 were at higher levels in the telencephalon and hypothalamus of socially subordinate males than dominant males. Dominant males exhibited elevated hypothalamic v1a2 receptor transcript abundance relative to subordinate males and females, and telencephalic v1a2 mRNA abundance in dominant males was also associated positively with individual aggressiveness. Transcripts in the telencephalon encoding itr were elevated in females relative to males, and both telencephalic proIT and hypothalamic itr transcript abundance varied with female social status. Taken together, these data link hypothalamic proVT expression to aggression and implicate forebrain expression of the V1a-type receptor v1a2 as potentially mediating the effects of vasotocin on behaviour in male fish. These findings also illustrate how associations between social status, aggression and gene expression within the VT and IT nonapeptide systems can be contingent on behavioural context.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Arginine Vasotocin, Isotocin and Nonapeptide Receptor Gene Expression Link to Social Status and Aggression in Sex‐Dependent Patterns

Lema

Sanders

Walti

2015

J Neuroendocrinology

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“…10 Oxytocin, which is produced in the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei of the hypothalamus, was originally known to stimulate uterine contractions during labor and milk ejection during breastfeeding. 11 Oxytocin has, however, been shown to have a much broader pattern of effects. It has been demonstrated to facilitate bonding between mother and young and to induce maternal behavior in several types of mammalian species.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Short- and Long-Term Decrease of Blood Pressure in Women During Breastfeeding

Jonas

Nissen

Ransjö‐Arvidson

et al. 2008

Breastfeeding Medicine

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“…2,8 -16 Oxytocin is a nonapeptide (i.e., it has nine amino acids) that is synthesized in magnocellular neurons in the paraventricular nucleus and the supraoptic nucleus of the hypothalamus and is released into the bloodstream by way of axon terminals in the posterior pituitary. 17,18 It is released both peripherally, where it is involved in milk letdown and the facilitation of uterine contractions, and centrally, where it acts as a neuromodulator along with the structurally similar peptide arginine vasopressin (AVP). 18 Of specific interest here, the neuromodulatory role of OXT (and AVP) is critically involved in affiliative and sexual behaviors, including formation of mother-infant and adult-adult pair bonds, separation distress, and social memory and recognition, as well as stress response and regulation of feeding and grooming.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Autism and Oxytocin: New Developments in Translational Approaches to Therapeutics

2010

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Summary:Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by dysfunction in three core symptom domains: speech and communication deficits, repetitive or compulsive behaviors with restricted interests, and social impairment. The neuropeptide oxytocin, along with the structurally similar peptide arginine vasopressin, may play a role in the etiology of autism, and especially in the social impairment domain. Oxytocin is a nonapeptide (i.e., it has nine amino acids). It is synthesized in magnocellular neurons in the paraventricular nucleus and the supraoptic nucleus of the hypothalamus and is released into the bloodstream by way of axon terminals in the posterior pituitary. Oxytocin is released both peripherally, where it is involved in milk letdown and the facilitation of uterine contractions, and centrally, where it acts as a neuromodulator along with arginine vasopressin. Here, we discuss relevant translational research pertaining to the role of oxytocin in social and repetitive behaviors and consider clinical implications. We also discuss current research limitations, review recent preliminary findings from studies involving oxytocin in autism spectrum disorder patient populations, and point to possible directions for future research.

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OxytocinSynthesis, Secretion, and Reproductive Functions

Cited by 78 publications

References 754 publications

Arginine Vasotocin, Isotocin and Nonapeptide Receptor Gene Expression Link to Social Status and Aggression in Sex‐Dependent Patterns

Arginine Vasotocin, Isotocin and Nonapeptide Receptor Gene Expression Link to Social Status and Aggression in Sex‐Dependent Patterns

Short- and Long-Term Decrease of Blood Pressure in Women During Breastfeeding

Autism and Oxytocin: New Developments in Translational Approaches to Therapeutics

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