Comparison of social interaction and neural activation in the main olfactory bulb and the accessory olfactory bulb between Microtus mandarinus and Microtus fortis

To gain insight into the function of AOB and MOB during different social interaction and in different vole species, the behaviors and neural activation of the olfactory bulbs in social interactions of mandarin voles Microtus mandarinus and reed voles Microtus fortis were compared in the present research. Mandarin voles spent significantly more time attacking and sniffing its opponent and sniffing sawdust than reed voles. During same sex encounters, mandarin voles attacked its opponent for a significantly longer time and sniffed its opponent for shorter time compared with male-female interactions. However, no significant behavioral differences were found during encounters of two individual reed voles, regardless of gender composition of the pair. Using c-Fos as an indicator of neural activation, we observed that neural activation was significantly higher in almost all sub-regions of the main olfactory bulb (MOB) and the accessory olfactory bulb (AOB) of mandarin voles compared with reed voles. Numbers of c-Fos-ir neurons in almost all sub-regions of the AOB and the MOB during male-female interactions were also higher than those in interactions of the same sex. Anterior-posterior ratios of Fos-ir neurons in the AOBM (AOBMR) and the AOBG (AOBGR) in male-female interaction were significantly higher than those in interaction of the same sex. The AOBMR of male mandarin voles and reed voles were larger than those of females in male-female interactions. Behavioral patterns are consistent with cellular activity patterns. Consistent level of neural activation in MOB and AOB suggests important roles of both the main olfactory bulb and the accessory olfactory bulb in social interaction in two species [Current Zoology 55(4): 279 –287, 2009]

Comparison of social interaction and neural activation in the main olfactory bulb and the accessory olfactory bulb between Microtus mandarinus and Microtus fortis.

Publisher's version/PDFTo gain insight into the function of AOB and MOB during different social interaction and in different vole species, the behaviors and neural activation of the olfactory bulbs in social interactions of mandarin voles Microtus mandarinus and reed voles Microtus fortis were compared in the present research. Mandarin voles spent significantly more time attacking and sniffing its opponent and sniffing sawdust than reed voles. During same sex encounters, mandarin voles attacked its opponent for a significantly longer time and sniffed its opponent for shorter time compared with male-female interactions. However, no significant behavioral differences were found during encounters of two individual reed voles, regardless of gender composition of the pair. Using c-Fos as an indicator of neural activation, we observed that neural activation was significantly higher in almost all sub-regions of the main olfactory bulb (MOB) and the accessory olfactory bulb (AOB) of mandarin voles compared with reed voles. Numbers of c-Fos-ir neurons in almost all sub-regions of the AOB and the MOB during male-female interactions were also higher than those in interactions of the same sex. Anterior-posterior ratios of Fos-ir neurons in the AOBM (AOBMR) and the AOBG (AOBGR) in male-female interaction were significantly higher than those in interaction of the same sex. The AOBMR of male mandarin voles and reed voles were larger than those of females in male-female interactions. Behavioral patterns are consistent with cellular activity patterns. Consistent level of neural activation in MOB and AOB suggests important roles of both the main olfactory bulb and the accessory olfactory bulb in social interaction in two species

Central Oxytocin Alters Cortisol and Behavioral Responses of Guinea Pig Pups During Isolation in a Novel Environment

The neuropeptide oxytocin plays key roles in social bonding and stress reduction, and thus appears to be a likely mediator of maternal buffering of infant stress responses. In the guinea pig, the presence of the mother in a threatening environment buffers cortisol elevations as well as active (vocalizing) and passive (e.g. crouching) responses typical of isolation in this species; yet, effects of OT in guinea pig pups under any conditions have not been reported. Here, we examined the ability of intracerebroventricular (ICV) OT to moderate plasma cortisol levels and behavior in guinea pig pups isolated in a brightly lit, novel environment, and the ability of a highly selective OT antagonist (OTA) to reduce buffering by the mother. We found that ICV OT moderated cortisol levels and vocalizations, but increased time spent in the crouched stance, particularly in females. In addition, OT modulated other ongoing behaviors in a sex-dependent fashion. In females, OT reduced duration of walking and rearing, and increased time spent quiet, while in males OT increased duration of rearing. OTA, however, was without effect on cortisol levels or behavior. These findings, including sex differences in response, extend results from other species to the guinea pig. Further, while demonstrating that exogenous OT is sufficient to reduce biobehavioral stress responses typical of isolated guinea pig infants, the results suggest that endogenous OT is not necessary for maternal buffering of infant responses in this species

Central Oxytocin Alters Cortisol and Behavioral Responses of Guinea Pig Pups During Isolation in a Novel Environment

The neuropeptide oxytocin plays key roles in social bonding and stress reduction, and thus appears to be a likely mediator of maternal buffering of infant stress responses. In the guinea pig, the presence of the mother in a threatening environment buffers cortisol elevations as well as active (vocalizing) and passive (e.g. crouching) responses typical of isolation in this species; yet, effects of OT in guinea pig pups under any conditions have not been reported. Here, we examined the ability of intracerebroventricular (ICV) OT to moderate plasma cortisol levels and behavior in guinea pig pups isolated in a brightly lit, novel environment, and the ability of a highly selective OT antagonist (OTA) to reduce buffering by the mother. We found that ICV OT moderated cortisol levels and vocalizations, but increased time spent in the crouched stance, particularly in females. In addition, OT modulated other ongoing behaviors in a sex-dependent fashion. In females, OT reduced duration of walking and rearing, and increased time spent quiet, while in males OT increased duration of rearing. OTA, however, was without effect on cortisol levels or behavior. These findings, including sex differences in response, extend results from other species to the guinea pig. Further, while demonstrating that exogenous OT is sufficient to reduce biobehavioral stress responses typical of isolated guinea pig infants, the results suggest that endogenous OT is not necessary for maternal buffering of infant responses in this species

Central Oxytocin Alters Cortisol and Behavioral Responses of Guinea Pig Pups During Isolation in a Novel Environment

The neuropeptide oxytocin plays key roles in social bonding and stress reduction, and thus appears to be a likely mediator of maternal buffering of infant stress responses. In the guinea pig, the presence of the mother in a threatening environment buffers cortisol elevations as well as active (vocalizing) and passive (e.g. crouching) responses typical of isolation in this species; yet, effects of OT in guinea pig pups under any conditions have not been reported. Here, we examined the ability of intracerebroventricular (ICV) OT to moderate plasma cortisol levels and behavior in guinea pig pups isolated in a brightly lit, novel environment, and the ability of a highly selective OT antagonist (OTA) to reduce buffering by the mother. We found that ICV OT moderated cortisol levels and vocalizations, but increased time spent in the crouched stance, particularly in females. In addition, OT modulated other ongoing behaviors in a sex-dependent fashion. In females, OT reduced duration of walking and rearing, and increased time spent quiet, while in males OT increased duration of rearing. OTA, however, was without effect on cortisol levels or behavior. These findings, including sex differences in response, extend results from other species to the guinea pig. Further, while demonstrating that exogenous OT is sufficient to reduce biobehavioral stress responses typical of isolated guinea pig infants, the results suggest that endogenous OT is not necessary for maternal buffering of infant responses in this species