Belinda Wang

Sep 26, 2024 | biorxiv.org | Ruchira Sharma |Kristen M. Berendzen |Amanda Everitt |Belinda Wang

AbstractOxytocin receptor (Oxtr) signaling influences complex social behaviors in diverse species, including social monogamy in prairie voles. How Oxtr regulates specific components of social attachment behaviors and the neural mechanisms mediating them remains unknown. Here, we examine prairie voles lacking Oxtr and demonstrate that pair bonding comprises distinct behavioral modules: the preference for a bonded partner, and the rejection of novel potential mates.

Sep 26, 2024 | biorxiv.org | Ruchira Sharma |Kristen M. Berendzen |Amanda Everitt |Belinda Wang

AbstractOxytocin receptor (Oxtr) signaling influences complex social behaviors in diverse species, including social monogamy in prairie voles. How Oxtr regulates specific components of social attachment behaviors and the neural mechanisms mediating them remains unknown. Here, we examine prairie voles lacking Oxtr and demonstrate that pair bonding comprises distinct behavioral modules: the preference for a bonded partner, and the rejection of novel potential mates.