Social contact elicits immediate-early gene expression in dopaminergic cells of the male prairie vole extended olfactory amygdala

摘要: Male prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster) are a valuable model in which to study the neurobiology of sociality because, unlike most mammals, they pair bond after mating and display paternal behaviors. Research on regulation these social behaviors has highlighted dopamine (DA) neurotransmission both bonding parenting. We recently described large numbers dopaminergic cells male vole principal nucleus bed stria terminalis (pBST) posterodorsal medial amygdala (MeApd), but such were very few number or absent non-monogamous species we examined, including meadow voles. This suggests that DA sites may be important for sociosexual To gain some insight into function DAergic neurons voles, examined expression immediate-early genes (IEGs) Fos Egr-1 tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-immunoreactive (TH-ir) pBST MeApd males interacted not with one several stimuli. found IEGs constitutively expressed TH-ir under any condition, IEG decreased 3.5-h isolation. Thirty-minute bouts (but 6- 24-h bouts) included ejaculation elicited greater than did non-ejaculatory mating, interactions familiar female sibling, pups. Furthermore, was positively correlated copulatory, parental, These effects other DA-rich forebrain (including anteroventral periventricular preoptic area, anterior hypothalamus, zona incerta, arcuate nucleus). Thus, activity is influenced by their environment, particularly involved its consequences, bonding.