Sex-specific Single Transcript Level Atlas of Vasopressin and its Receptor (AVPR1a) in the Mouse Brain

Abstract

Vasopressin (AVP), a nonapeptide synthesized predominantly by magnocellular hypothalamic neurons, is conveyed to the posterior pituitary via the pituitary stalk, where AVP is secreted into the circulation. Known to regulate blood pressure and water homeostasis, it also modulates diverse social behaviors, such as pair-bonding, social recognition and cognition in mammals including humans. Importantly, AVP modulates social behaviors in a sex-specific manner, perhaps, due to sex differences in the distribution in the brain of AVP and its main receptor AVPR1a. There is a corpus of integrative studies for the expression of AVP and AVPR1a in various brain regions, and their functions in modulating central and peripheral actions. In order to purposefully address sexually dimorphic and novel roles of AVP on central and peripheral functions through its AVPR1a, we utilized RNAscope to map Avp and Avpr1a single transcript expression in the mouse brain. As the most comprehensive atlas of AVP and AVPR1a in the mouse brain, this compendium highlights the importance of newly identified AVP/AVPR1a neuronal nodes that may stimulate further functional studies.