Urocortin II increases spontaneous parental behavior in prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster).
Stress and anxiety play a role in many psychological processes including social behavior. The present study examines the effects of urocortin II (UCN II) on spontaneous parental behavior in adult prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster). UCN II was found to increase passive parental behavior in voles while not affecting any stress-related measures. Delineating the mechanism of this change will aid in our understanding of the regulation of parenting.
Samuel
Peter A
PA
Department of Psychology, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
Hostetler
Caroline M
CM
Bales
Karen L
KL
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001007:Anxiety / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D003411:Arvicolinae / Q000502:physiology*; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D003345:Corticosterone / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010332:Paternal Behavior; D012919:Social Behavior; D013997:Time Factors; D054832:Urocortins / Q000494:pharmacology*
D054832:Urocortins; D003345:Corticosterone