Sexual Dimorphism and the NMDA Receptor in Alloparental Behavior in Juvenile Prairie Voles (Microtus ochrogaster).

Kirkpatrick, Brian; Kakoyannis, Athanasia

doi:10.1037/0735-7044.118.3.584

Cited by 7 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…Although there is no clear sexual dimorphism in terms of alloparental behavior in sub‐adult prairie voles, there do appear to be sex‐related differences in terms of the relevant neurobiology. For example, systemic N ‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA) receptor blockade produced opposing effects in males and females at 40–50 days of age (Kirkpatrick and Kakoyannis, ).…”

Section: Model Organisms For the Study Of Alloparental Behaviormentioning

confidence: 99%

The neurobiological causes and effects of alloparenting

Kenkel

Perkeybile

Carter

2016

Developmental Neurobiology

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Alloparenting, defined as care provided by individuals other than parents, is a universal behavior among humans that has shaped our evolutionary history and remains important in contemporary society. Dysfunctions in alloparenting can have serious and sometimes fatal consequences for vulnerable infants and children. In spite of the importance of alloparenting, they still have much to learn regarding the underlying neurobiological systems governing its expression. Here, they review how a lack of alloparental behavior among traditional laboratory species has led to a blind spot in our understanding of this critical facet of human social behavior and the relevant neurobiology. Based on what is known, they draw from model systems ranging from voles to meerkats to primates to describe a conserved set of neuroendocrine mechanisms supporting the expression of alloparental care. In this review we describe the neurobiological and behavioral prerequisites, ontogeny, and consequences of alloparental care. Lastly, they identified several outstanding topics in the area of alloparental care that deserve further research efforts to better advance human health and wellbeing.

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Section: Model Organisms For the Study Of Alloparental Behaviormentioning

confidence: 99%

The neurobiological causes and effects of alloparenting

Kenkel

Perkeybile

Carter

2016

Developmental Neurobiology

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“…Other studies have previously observed alloparenting behaviors specifically in voles, such as huddling, pseudohuddling, time in/out of the nest, licking and sniffing, grooming, and retrieving pups (Stone et al, 2010, Keebaugh and Young, 2011). In addition to these behaviors towards siblings, carrying and side-by-side contact with unrelated pups have been observed in alloparenting tests (Roberts et al, 1996, Kirkpatrick and Kakoyannis, 2004). Studies examining spontaneous alloparenting behavior in prairie voles have observed the majority (70%) of juvenile voles display these alloparental behaviors to novel pups (Roberts et al, 1998).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Is it all in the family? The effects of early social structure on neural–behavioral systems of prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster)

et al. 2012

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The transition to parenthood is generally associated with a reduction in anxiety or anxiety-like behavior across a wide range of species. In some species, juveniles provide supplementary parental care for younger siblings, a behavior known as alloparenting. Although the fitness consequences of alloparenting behavior have been a focus of evolutionary research, less is known about how alloparenting behavior impacts affective states. In the socially monogamous prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster), most juveniles exhibit alloparenting behavior, making the species an ideal model for examining the effects of alloparenting on future behavioral outcomes. We randomly assigned juvenile voles to alloparenting (AL) or no alloparenting (NoAL) groups and behaviorally phenotyped them for anxiety-like and social behaviors using the elevated plus maze (EPM), open field test (OFT), startle box, social interaction test, juvenile affiliation test, and partner preference test. AL voles displayed more anxiety-like and less exploratory behavior than NoAL voles, spending significantly less time in the open arms of the EPM and center of an open field. We dissected the CA1 region of the hippocampus and the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) from brains of behaviorally phenotyped voles and nontested siblings as well. Decreased BDNF expression in CA1 has generally been associated with increased anxiety-like behavior in other rodents, while an anxiogenic role for BDNF in BNST is less established. Western blot analyses showed that alloparenting experience increased expression of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the bed nucleus of stria terminalis (BNST) but decreased BDNF expression in the CA1 region of hippocampus (CA1) of nontested voles. There were similar differences in BNST BDNF of behaviorally phenotyped voles, and BDNF levels within this region were negatively correlated with exploratory behavior (i.e. time in center of OFT). Our results suggest that BDNF signaling in BNST and CA1 fluctuate with alloparenting experience, and they contribute to an increasingly complex “BDNF hypothesis” in which behavioral effects of this molecule are region-specific.

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“…Moreover, a large difference in the amount social behavior was observed when comparing males and females. This difference in response to DCS was due to the sexually dimorphic properties of the NMDA receptors in the brain (Kirkpatrick & Kakoyannis, 2004;Cyr et al, 2001). NMDA receptors have been implicated in ASDs by virtue of the lack of sociability exhibited in transgenic mice that have a mutation in the NR1 subunit of this receptor (Jacome, Burket, Herndon, & Deutsch, 2011).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Role of Oxytocin, Vasopressin, and D-Cycloserine in Remediating Social Behavior in Rats with Amygdala Lesions

2012

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Autism is a common neurodevelopmental disorder that affects communication and social behavior. To reduce the social deficits characteristic of autism, the compounds oxytocin, arginine vasopressin, D-cycloserine, and D-cycloserine + oxytocin were explored as therapeutic agents. Twenty-one Long Evans Hooded rats underwent a bilateral amygdala lesion, which reduced the time of social interactions between the pairs of animals. Upon administration of D-cycloserine, the social deficits induced by the lesions were significantly reversed in both sexes. In addition, it was observed that the efficacy of the treatments was affected by the sex of the subjects. Male rats had the largest increase in social behavior when given D-cycloserine. However, female rats experienced the largest reduction in social impairment when administered oxytocin. Thus, sexually dimorphic treatments should be further investigated for individuals with autism spectrum disorders.

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Sexual Dimorphism and the NMDA Receptor in Alloparental Behavior in Juvenile Prairie Voles (Microtus ochrogaster).

Cited by 7 publications

References 36 publications

The neurobiological causes and effects of alloparenting

The neurobiological causes and effects of alloparenting

Is it all in the family? The effects of early social structure on neural–behavioral systems of prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster)

The Role of Oxytocin, Vasopressin, and D-Cycloserine in Remediating Social Behavior in Rats with Amygdala Lesions

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