Sexually dimorphic role for vasopressin in the development of social play

Abstract

Despite the well-established role of arginine vasopressin (AVP) in adult social behavior, its role in social development is relatively unexplored. In this paper, we focus on the most prominent social behavior of juvenile rats, social play. Previous pharmacological experiments in our laboratory suggested that AVP regulates play in a sex- and brain region-specific manner in juvenile rats. Here we investigate the role of specific AVP systems in the emergence of social play. We first characterize the development of play in male and female Wistar rats and then ask whether the development of AVP mRNA expression correlates with the emergence of play. Unexpectedly, play emerged more rapidly in weanling-aged females than in males, resulting in a sex difference opposite of that typically reported for older, juvenile rats. AVP mRNA and play were correlated in males only, with a negative correlation in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) and a positive correlation in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN). These findings support the hypothesis that AVP acts differentially on multiple systems in a sex-specific manner to regulate social play and suggest a role for PVN and BNST AVP systems in the development of play. Differential neuropeptide regulation of male and female social development may underlie well-documented sex differences in incidence, progression, and symptom severity of behavioral disorders during development.

Sex-specific modulation of juvenile social play behavior by vasopressin and oxytocin depends on social context

“…In line with this, a negative correlation was found between AVP mRNA expression in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis and social play in juvenile males (Paul et al, 2014). It is unknown, however, whether OXT via OTR in the lateral septum modulates social play behavior, and if so, whether it acts in sex-specific ways.…”

Species, sex and individual differences in the vasotocin/vasopressin system: Relationship to neurochemical signaling in the social behavior neural network

“…There is an increasing body of evidence that the sex differences across the SBNN regulate sex differences in social behavior in animals(Paul and others, 2014) and humans(Rilling and others, 2014). The AVT/AVP system has also been implicated in the modulation of mood and anxiety(Neumann and Landgraf, 2012) and a better understanding of the functional consequences of sex differences in the AVP/OT system could provide insight into the substantial sex differences in many psychiatric disorders.…”

Sex differences in monoamines following amphetamine and social reward in adolescent rats.

“…A number of studies have focused on vasopressin as a mediator of sexually dimorphic social play (Paul et al, 2014; Veenema et al, 2013). Vasopressin and other hormone activity in areas of lateral septum, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, and Amyg have been implicated in social play (Meaney & Stewart, 1981; Paul et al, 2014; Veenema et al, 2013).…”

“…Vasopressin and other hormone activity in areas of lateral septum, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, and Amyg have been implicated in social play (Meaney & Stewart, 1981; Paul et al, 2014; Veenema et al, 2013). Within Amyg, dendritic arborization and glial volume are increased in males relative to females, suggesting a role in the greater play behavior exhibited in males (Cooke, Stokas, & Woolley, 2007).…”

“…However, some of the neural circuitry involved in social activity differs between males and females. For example, hypothalamus (Hypo), bed nucleus of stria terminalis (BNST) and lateral septum (LS) differentially modulate social play in adolescent males and females (Paul et al, 2014; Veenema et al, 2013). …”