title: Oxytocin induces social communication by activating arginine-vasopressin V1a receptors and not oxytocin receptors.
abstract: Arginine-vasopressin (AVP) and oxytocin (OT) and their receptors are very similar in structure. As a result, at least some of the effects of these peptides may be the result of crosstalk between their canonical receptors. The present study investigated this hypothesis by determining whether the induction of flank marking, a form of social communication in Syrian hamsters, by OT is mediated by the OT receptor or the AVP V1a receptor. Intracerebroventricular (ICV) injections of OT or AVP induced flank marking in a dose-dependent manner although the effects of AVP were approximately 100 times greater than those of OT. Injections of highly selective V1a receptor agonists but not OT receptor agonists induced flank marking, and V1a receptor antagonists but not OT receptor antagonists significantly inhibited the ability of OT to induce flank marking. Lastly, injection of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH), a peptide that stimulates OT but not AVP release, significantly increased odor-induced flank marking, and these effects were blocked by a V1a receptor antagonist. These data demonstrate that OT induces flank marking by activating AVP V1a and not OT receptors, suggesting that the V1a receptor should be considered to be an OT receptor as well as an AVP receptor.
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience Institute, Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Zhimin
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Song
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience Institute, Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Katharine E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: McCann
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience Institute, Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: John K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: McNeill
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience Institute, Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Tony E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Larkin
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience Institute, Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Kim L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Huhman
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience Institute, Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA. Electronic address: biohea@gsu.edu.
authors.forename: H Elliott
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Albers
mesh_terms: D000819:Animal Communication; D000818:Animals; D065092:Antidiuretic Hormone Receptor Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D006224:Cricetinae; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D008297:Male; D008647:Mesocricetus; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020239:Receptor Cross-Talk; D018045:Receptors, Oxytocin / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D017483:Receptors, Vasopressin / Q000819:agonists* / Q000378:metabolism; D012919:Social Behavior
chemical_list: D065092:Antidiuretic Hormone Receptor Antagonists; D018045:Receptors, Oxytocin; D017483:Receptors, Vasopressin; D010121:Oxytocin
keywords: Aggression; Flank marking; Prosocial behavior; Social behavior; Social recognition; α-MSH