title: The ties that bond: neurochemistry of attachment in voles.
abstract: In socially monogamous prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster), mating induces three primary types of behavior; namely, partner preference, selective aggression toward conspecific strangers, and bi-parental care, making this rodent an ideal model system to study sociality and underlying neurochemical mechanisms associated with monogamous mating strategies. Here, we highlight species differences in neurochemical receptor distributions associated with mating experience leading to the establishment of stable pair-bonds. Specifically, we illustrate the role of nucleus accumbens dopamine in programming the formation and maintenance of monogamous bonds and describe the role of anterior hypothalamic vasopressin in the regulation of selective aggression. We conclude by discussing recent molecular work in voles and emphasize the importance of this rodent for future research in the behavioral neurobiology field.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155, USA. Electronic address: Kyle.Gobrogge@tufts.edu.
authors.forename: Kyle
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gobrogge
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology and Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA.
authors.forename: Zuoxin
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003411:Arvicolinae / Q000502:physiology*; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism; D009448:Neurochemistry; D009714:Nucleus Accumbens / Q000502:physiology; D010152:Pair Bond; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D004298:Dopamine