title: Examining the Role of Vasopressin in the Modulation of Parental and Sexual Behaviors.
abstract: Vasopressin (VP) and VP-like neuropeptides are evolutionarily stable peptides found in all vertebrate species. In non-mammalian vertebrates, vasotocin (VT) plays a role similar to mammalian VP, whereas mesotocin and isotocin are functionally similar to mammalian oxytocin (OT). Here, we review the involvement of VP in brain circuits, synaptic plasticity, evolution, and function, highlighting the role of VP in social behavior. In all studied species, VP is encoded on chromosome 20p13, and in mammals, VP is produced in specific hypothalamic nuclei and released by the posterior pituitary. The role of VP is mediated by the stimulation of the V1a, V1b, and V2 receptors as well as the oxytocinergic and purinergic receptors. VT and VP functions are usually related to osmotic and cardiovascular homeostasis when acting peripherally. However, these neuropeptides are also critically involved in the central modulation of social behavior displays, such as pairing recognition, pair-bonding, social memory, sexual behavior, parental care, and maternal and aggressive behavior. Evidence suggests that these effects are primarily mediated by V1a receptor in specific brain circuits that provide important information for the onset and control of social behaviors in normal and pathological conditions.
authors.affiliation: Programa de Pós-Graduação em Fisiologia, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde (ICBS), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) , Porto Alegre , Brazil.
authors.forename: Josi Maria
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Zimmermann-Peruzatto
authors.affiliation: Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre (UFCSPA) , Porto Alegre , Brazil.
authors.forename: Virgínia Meneghini
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Lazzari
authors.affiliation: Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre (UFCSPA) , Porto Alegre , Brazil.
authors.forename: Ana Carolina
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: de Moura
authors.affiliation: Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre (UFCSPA) , Porto Alegre , Brazil.
authors.forename: Silvana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Almeida
authors.affiliation: Programa de Pós-Graduação em Fisiologia, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde (ICBS), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) , Porto Alegre , Brazil ; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre (UFCSPA) , Porto Alegre , Brazil.
authors.forename: Márcia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Giovenardi
keywords: V1a receptor; V1b receptor; evolutionary lineage VP; social behaviors; vasopressin-like