Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior

Oxytocin neurons signal state-dependent transitions from rest to thermogenesis and behavioral arousal in social and non-social settings

The paper shows PVNOT neurons drive transitions from rest to thermogenesis and behavioral arousal in both social and non-social contexts in mice.

Evaluating the roles of testosterone and sex-linked genes in territorial aggression of sex-reversed XY females in the African pygmy mouse

This study investigates the molecular basis of territorial aggression in sex-reversed XY females of the African pygmy mouse, finding no correlation between aggression and testosterone or gene expression, but suggesting dopaminergic and oxytocin pathways may be involved.

Differential behavioral effects of systemic oxytocin receptor blockade across social tasks and hierarchical ranks in male mice

This study investigates how systemic oxytocin receptor blockade affects social behaviors in male mice, finding task- and rank-dependent effects.

Inhibition of oxytocin neurons during key periods of development has long-term behavioural and body composition effects.

This study inhibits oxytocin neurons during different developmental stages in mice, revealing long-term behavioral and metabolic effects depending on timing and sex.

Transcriptomic Landscape of Microglia in Mouse Models of Social Dysfunction and Oxytocin-Mediated Recovery

The paper investigates how VPA exposure and OT neuron stimulation affect microglia in the PVH and finds that OT neuron activation can reverse some microglial gene downregulation.

Sex differences in neural activity across amygdalo-striatal network during social behaviour

This study identifies sex differences in neural activity across the amygdalo-striatal network during social behaviour in mice, with distinct anticipatory states and context-dependent dynamics in the basolateral amygdala.

Stable clique membership in mouse societies requires oxytocin-enabled social sensory states

This study shows that oxytocin signaling is essential for mice to form stable social bonds in complex groups, as mice with impaired oxytocin-related social sensory processing failed to join cohesive cliques.

Decoding the oxytocinergic and behavioral signatures of milk ejection

The paper identifies oxytocinergic and behavioral signatures of milk ejection in lactating rats using calcium imaging and machine learning.

Plasma oxytocin measured by LC-MS/MS varies with life stage, sex, and obesity in mice

This study measures plasma oxytocin levels in mice across life stages, sex, and obesity using LC-MS/MS, finding higher levels in adulthood and differences in obesity between sexes.

Postpartum enhancement of spatial learning and cognitive flexibility: an IntelliCage study

This study uses IntelliCage to show that postpartum female mice outperform pregnant and nulliparous females in spatial learning and cognitive flexibility tasks.

Nonapeptide molecular evolution during the adaptive radiation of Tanganyika cichlids

The paper investigates the molecular evolution of nonapeptides in Tanganyika cichlids, finding positive selection in VTR2A receptors and a correlation between an amino acid variant and pair-bonding behavior.

Beyond the Barrier: An Assessment of Social Behaviour in Mice using a Modified 3-Chamber Test

This study modifies the 3-chamber test to better assess affiliative social motivation in mice by incorporating direct interaction and social status, revealing sex differences and challenges to assumptions about sociability.

Sex-specific regulation of social play in juvenile rats by oxytocin neurons in the hypothalamus and oxytocin signaling in the nucleus accumbens

This study investigates how oxytocin neurons in the hypothalamus and oxytocin signaling in the nucleus accumbens regulate sex-specific social play behavior in juvenile rats.

A Demographic History of a Prairie Vole (Microtus Ochrogaster) Breeding Colony (2004-2020)

This paper describes the demographic history and husbandry techniques of a prairie vole breeding colony from 2004 to 2020 to support reliable research on social behavior.

The neural mechanisms supporting the rise and fall of maternal aggression

This study identifies a neural circuit involving PAEsr1 and VMHvlNpy2r cells that supports the regulation of maternal aggression through plasticity and oxytocin signaling.

FOXP1 differentially regulates the development of murine vasopressin and oxytocin magnocellular neurons

The paper identifies FOXP1 as a key regulator of oxytocin neuron differentiation and shows its role in reducing AVP and OXT neuron abundance in knockout mice.

Neurotype matching in monogamous rodents is modulated by early-life sleep experience

The paper investigates neurotype matching in prairie voles by manipulating early-life sleep experience and uses deep learning to analyze social interactions.

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

The paper maps Avp and Avpr1a single transcript expression in the mouse brain to identify sex-specific neuronal nodes involved in AVP's role in social behaviors.

Effects of combined prenatal exposure to air pollution and maternal stress on social behavior and oxytocin and vasopressin systems in male and female mice

This study investigates how prenatal exposure to air pollution and maternal stress affects social behavior and oxytocin/vasopressin systems in male and female mice, finding sex-specific impacts on social behavior and gene expression.

Neural signature underlying the effect of intranasal vasopressin on emotional responses to spontaneous social comparison

This study shows vasopressin enhances emotional responses to social comparisons with strangers, altering neural representations and triggering self-protective mechanisms.

Oxytocin facilitates social behavior of female rats via selective modulation of interneurons in the medial prefrontal cortex

This study identifies a circuit in the medial prefrontal cortex where oxytocin modulates interneurons to promote social behavior in female rats, even under physiological stress.

Agouti integrates environmental information to regulate natural variation in paternal behavior

The paper identifies Agouti as a molecular integrator of socio-environmental factors that influence paternal care in African striped mice.

Interdependency between oxytocin and dopamine in trust-based learning in mice

The paper investigates the interaction between oxytocin and dopamine in social safety learning in mice using the social transmission of food preference paradigm, finding that oxytocin enhances learning only when dopamine signaling is intact.

Long-term offspring loss in lactating rats: Neurobiological and emotional consequences in a novel animal model

This study investigates the long-term neurobiological and emotional effects of offspring loss in lactating rats, revealing changes in oxytocin and corticotropin-releasing factor systems and stress behaviors.

A Sexually Dimorphic Neuronal Cluster in the Mouse Medial Amygdala Exhibits Binary Activation Mode Based on Male Sexual Status

Post-encoding administration of oxytocin selectively enhances memory consolidation of male faces in females

This study shows that oxytocin administered after encoding selectively enhances female participants' memory consolidation of male faces, without similar effects in males.

Oxytocin neurons in the anterior and posterior paraventricular nucleus have distinct behavioral functions and electrophysiological profiles

The paper investigates the distinct behavioral and electrophysiological roles of oxytocin neurons in the anterior and posterior paraventricular nucleus using genetic and pharmacological manipulations in mice.

Estrogen profiling in blood and brain: effects of season and an aggressive interaction in a songbird

The paper develops a sensitive method to measure eleven estrogens in songbirds and finds that only estrone and 17β-E2 are detectable, with seasonal variation but no effect of simulated territorial intrusion on estrogen levels.

Vasopressin-to-Oxytocin Receptor Crosstalk in the Preoptic Area Underlying Parental Behaviors in Male Mice

The paper identifies vasopressin-to-oxytocin receptor crosstalk in the preoptic area as a key mechanism for paternal caregiving behaviors in male mice.

Age-dependent effects of intranasal oxytocin administration were revealed by resting brain entropy (BEN)

This study examines how intranasal oxytocin affects brain entropy in young and old adults using fMRI-based mapping and finds age-dependent changes in brain activity.