The effects of CRF and urocortins on the preference for social novelty of mice

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to determine the role of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), the urocortins (UCN 1, UCN 2 and UCN 3) and their receptors (CRF and CRF) in the preference for social novelty of mice. Male CFLP mice were administered intracerebroventricularly (ICV) with CRF, UCN 1, UCN 2 or UCN 3 and/or antalarmin or astressin 2B, selective antagonists of CRF receptor and CRF receptor, respectively. The mice were investigated in a Crawley social interaction test arena consisting of three chambers: an unknown female was set in the first chamber and a known female, with which the male was familiarized previously for 24h, was set in the third chamber. First the tested male was habituated with the middle chamber for 5min and then allowed to explore the remaining chambers for 5min, during which the number of entries and the time of interaction were measured. CRF decreased significantly the number of entries and the time of interaction with the unknown female, but not the known female. UCN 1 decreased significantly the number of entries into the chamber of the unknown female, but not the known female, without changing the time of interaction. All decreasing effects were reversed by antalarmin, but not astressin 2B. UCN 2 and UCN 3 didn't influence significantly any of the parameters. The present study suggests that CRF and UCN 1 decrease the preference for social novelty by activating CRF receptor, while UCN 2 and UCN 3, activating selectively CRF receptor, do not participate to male-female interaction.

Emerging Translational Research in Neurological and Psychiatric Diseases: From In Vitro to In Vivo Models

“…In vitro-and in vivo-based preclinical research serves as a vital complement to human studies in understanding neuropsychiatric conditions [51][52][53][54][55]. These models enable researchers to simulate disease conditions and explore the intricate connections among genetics, environment, pharmacology, and comorbidities [56][57][58][59][60].…”

The Role of Corticotropin-Releasing Factor (CRF) and CRF-Related Peptides in the Social Behavior of Rodents

“…In the sociability and preference for social novelty test, a three-chamber social interaction box (L × W × H: 60 × 20 × 25 cm) was used [ 74 ]. First, the tested male animal was familiarized with the middle chamber for 5 min; then, the male was allowed to explore the adjacent chambers for another 5 min [ 71 , 72 ]. In this paradigm, two types of tests can be performed [ 71 , 72 ].…”

“…First, the tested male animal was familiarized with the middle chamber for 5 min; then, the male was allowed to explore the adjacent chambers for another 5 min [ 71 , 72 ]. In this paradigm, two types of tests can be performed [ 71 , 72 ]. The first test was used to investigate the sociability of animals; in this test, the male can choose between a stranger male conspecific set in a cage and an empty cage [ 71 , 72 ].…”

“…In this paradigm, two types of tests can be performed [ 71 , 72 ]. The first test was used to investigate the sociability of animals; in this test, the male can choose between a stranger male conspecific set in a cage and an empty cage [ 71 , 72 ]. The second test was used to investigate the preference for the social novelty of animals; in this test, the male can choose between a stranger male (or female) and a familiar male (or female) conspecific [ 71 , 72 ].…”

Corticotropin-releasing hormone signaling from prefrontal cortex to lateral septum supports social novelty preference

“…Moreover, application of the CRH receptor 1 agonist stressin-1 elicited the same effect 41 suggesting that CRH effects on social interactions are mediated by the CRH receptor 1 (CRHR1). CRH also plays an important role in social novelty preference and social recognition 31,42,43 . Social recognition in rats is facilitated by over-expressing CRH 43 or increasing CRH tone by pharmacological targeting of CRH receptors or binding proteins 31 .…”