title: Oxytocin and object preferences in the male prairie vole.
abstract: The neuropeptide oxytocin has been previously associated with social attachment behaviors in various species. Studies in socially monogamous prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster) and other species have implicated oxytocin in partner preferences and other social behaviors. In the present study male prairie voles were injected intraperitoneally with either oxytocin or the selective oxytocin antagonist, L-368,899, and were assessed for object preference (for small inanimate toys) 30-min after injection. Object preferences were assessed in animals tested alone or in the presence of their sibling cage mate. Saline-treated controls displayed preferences for the novel object, both when tested alone and in pairs, while oxytocin-treated voles did not demonstrate an object preference, regardless of whether tested alone or in pairs. Finally, oxytocin antagonist treated voles showed preference for the novel object, but only when tested in pairs. These data support a possible involvement of oxytocin and oxytocin receptors in object preference.
authors.affiliation: Concordia University, QC, Canada H4B 1R6. Electronic address: dan.madularu@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Madularu
authors.affiliation: Concordia University, QC, Canada H4B 1R6. Electronic address: maria.athanassiou@live.com.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Athanassiou
authors.affiliation: Northeastern University, MA 02115, United States. Electronic address: jsn.r.yee@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Jason R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Yee
authors.affiliation: Northeastern University, MA 02115, United States. Electronic address: wm.kenkel@gmail.com.
authors.forename: William M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Kenkel
authors.affiliation: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill 27599, United States. Electronic address: suecarterporges@gmail.com.
authors.forename: C Sue
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Carter
authors.affiliation: Concordia University, QC, Canada H4B 1R6. Electronic address: david.mumby@concordia.ca.
authors.forename: Dave G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Mumby
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003411:Arvicolinae; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D010120:Oxytocics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012919:Social Behavior
chemical_list: D010120:Oxytocics; D010121:Oxytocin
keywords: Neuropeptide; Novel-object preference; Oxytocin receptor antagonist; Voles