Appearance and Transient Expression of Vasopressin and Oxytocin Receptors in the Rat Brain

Abstract

Binding sites for AVP and for OT were studied by in vitro autoradiography in sections from the brain of rat fetuses, neonates and infants; their distribution was compared to that of the brain of adults. Specific binding sites were first detected in the vagal complex for OT and in the reticular formation for AVP at E14 and E16 respectively. In the perinatal period, other areas become labeled. Approximately one week after birth, a "stable" pattern of distribution is established for AVP binding sites, and a different "stable" pattern obtained for OT binding sites. For both types of sites and in many areas, the density of labeling increases during the next two weeks to reach adult levels, whereas labeling decreases concomitantly in other areas of the brain. The distribution of AVP binding sites is of the adult pattern by the time of weaning. In contrast, the adult pattern of distribution of OT binding sites is only established after puberty, when new OT receptors appear in some regions of the hypothalamus and basal forebrain. "Transient" binding sites for AVP and OT, i.e. sites located in areas which were labeled in neonates but not in weanlings, were shown to have the same ligand affinity than the binding sites present in the adult. Electrophysiological studies suggest that at least some of these "transient" binding sites represent authentic receptors and may be involved in neuronal signaling.

Developmental Perspectives on Oxytocin and Vasopressin

“…In voles, rats, and mice, the binding profiles for OXTR (Shapiro and Insel, 1989;Snijdewint et al, 1989;Tribollet et al, 1989Tribollet et al, , 1991aTribollet et al, , 1992 and V1aR (Snijdewint et al, 1989;Tribollet et al, 1991a, b;Hammock and Levitt, 2012) have been mapped during postnatal development. Receptor mRNA has also been measured in development (Yoshimura et al, 1996;Chen et al, 2000) in rats.…”

A major SNP haplotype of the arginine vasopressin 1B receptor protects against recurrent major depression

“…[10][11][12] AVP1a receptors are widely distributed on the blood vessels, and have also been found in the brain, including the paraventricular nucleus (PVN). 13 AVP2 receptors are predominantly located in the principal cells of the renal collecting system, although there is also some evidence for the brain AVP2 receptors. The ACTH-releasing properties occur via the AVP1b (V3) receptor subtype.…”

Association of the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) in Caucasian children and adolescents with autism

“…In mammals, OXTR are expressed at higher levels in early development [18,19] and are concentrated in brain regions that are involved in social behaviors including the olfactory bulbs, piriform cortex, amygdala, and lateral septum [5]. Compared to wild type, OXTR knockout mice emit fewer ultrasonic vocalizations in response to social isolation, experience deficits in social discrimination, and demonstrate more aggressive behavior [20].…”