Effects of neonatal oxytocin manipulations on male reproductive potential in prairie voles.
Oxytocin (OT) modulates adult mammalian sexual behavior, sperm production and transport, and steroidogenesis; however, the consequences of developmental manipulations of oxytocin have received little attention. The purpose of this experiment was to determine whether neonatal exposure to OT, an oxytocin antagonist (OTA), saline (SAL), or handling (HAN)-only would have long-term effects on reproductive potential in male prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster). Adult males were observed for 24 h with a sexually receptive female and sexual behavior was recorded. Females were subsequently lavaged and smears were examined for sperm. Reproductive parameters including motility of epididymal sperm, testis weight, and plasma androgen levels were in the normal range. OT-treated males that did not mate within the first 30 min did not mate at all, and in comparison to controls, a higher proportion of those OT-treated and OTA-treated males that did mate did not transfer sperm to the females. OTA-treated males also had significantly higher testicular sperm concentrations than HAN-only males, and significantly lower epididymal sperm concentrations. These differences suggest that in males, developmental manipulations of OT may have the potential to influence the subsequent expression of sexual behavior and sperm transport.
Bales
Karen L
KL
The Brain-Body Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1601 W. Taylor Street, Chicago, IL 60612, USA. baleskaren@aol.com
Abdelnabi
Mahmoud
M
Cushing
Bruce S
BS
Ottinger
Mary Ann
MA
Carter
C Sue
CS
D000728:Androgens / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn / Q000502:physiology*; D003411:Arvicolinae / Q000502:physiology*; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D004822:Epididymis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010152:Pair Bond; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects*; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D012919:Social Behavior; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development
D000728:Androgens; D010121:Oxytocin