Anterior hypothalamic vasopressin regulates pair-bonding and drug-induced aggression in a monogamous rodent.
After pair-bonding, male prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster) display aggression toward novel females but not toward their female partner. Here we show that this selective aggression in pair-bonded male prairie voles is associated with increased release of vasopressin (AVP) in the anterior hypothalamus (AH). Pharmacological activation of AVP-V1a receptors (V1aR) in the AH induced selective aggression in sexually naive males, whereas V1aR blockade diminished selective aggression in pair-bonded males. Pair-bonded males also showed an increased density in V1aR binding in the AH compared to their sexually naive counterparts and overexpression of V1aR in the AH, by viral vector-mediated gene transfer, facilitated aggression toward novel females. These data demonstrate that AH-AVP is both necessary and sufficient in the regulation of selective aggression associated with pair-bonding. In the second part of this study, we examined the effects of amphetamine (AMPH) exposure on female-directed aggression and revealed the potential role of AH-AVP underlying this behavior. Repeated AMPH administration in sexually naive male prairie voles enhanced V1aR expression in the AH and induced aggression toward a familiar or unfamiliar female. In addition, this AMPH-induced aggression was blocked by intra-AH administration of a V1aR antagonist. Together, our data reveal a socioneurobiological mechanism, highlighting a critical role of AH-AVP in the regulation of aggression induced by pair-bonding or drug experience in socially monogamous male prairie voles.
Department of Psychology and Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA.
Kyle L
KL
Gobrogge
Yan
Y
Liu
Larry J
LJ
Young
Zuoxin
Z
Wang
D000374:Aggression / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D000661:Amphetamine / Q000494:pharmacology; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D007025:Anterior Hypothalamic Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism*; D065092:Antidiuretic Hormone Receptor Antagonists; D003411:Arvicolinae / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D001345:Autoradiography; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D010152:Pair Bond; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D014667:Vasopressins / Q000378:metabolism*
D065092:Antidiuretic Hormone Receptor Antagonists; D014667:Vasopressins; D000661:Amphetamine