Chronic social isolation enhances reproduction in the monogamous prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster)

Perry, Adam N.; Carter, C. Sue; Cushing, Bruce S.

doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2016.02.016

Cited by 14 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 59 publications

(92 reference statements)

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“…However, our data are consistent with a recent study in California mice showing that social isolation enhances cell survival and proliferation in the hippocampus (Ruscio et al, 2015). Chronic social isolation in prairie voles also increase estrogen receptors in the medial amygdala (MEA) and the bed nucleus of stria terminalis (BST) of males, decrease corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) receptor type 1 but increase CRH receptor type 2 in the hippocampus (PournajafiNazarloo et al, 2009;Perry et al, 2016). Given that CRH-R1 and CRH-R2 have been found to differentially modulate dendritic growth of hippocampal neurons (Sheng et al, 2012), it is possible that these receptors along with estrogen receptors may mediate alterations of the hippocampal neuronal structure in response to moderate environmental disruptions experienced during offspring development of monogamous species.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Socio-Ecological Disruptions at Critical Periods During Development Alter Stress Responses and Hippocampal Dendritic Morphology of Prairie Voles: Implications for Social Monogamy

et al. 2018

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Emotions are often associated with the evolution of monogamy. For example, fear of cuckoldry has been recently proposed as the driving force for human monogamy. We used prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster) as a model of human behavior to study how stress reactivity is shaped by socio-ecological disruptions experienced as neonates and as subadults. We hypothesized that social disruptions would have a greater impact on the vole's stress levels than ecological disruptions, and that females would be more susceptible to the experience than males. At 6 days postpartum, the housing conditions were manipulated to have offspring raised by: (1) both parents under a protective cover (NoDisrupt); (2) Both parents uncovered (EcoDisrupt); (3) Mother alone covered (SocDisrupt); (4) Mother alone uncovered (SocEcoDisrupt). To experience disruptions as subadults, offspring were weaned then housed either alone (Isolate) or with a same-sex sibling (Social). As adults, each offspring was placed in an open-field arena and tested over 3 consecutive days to measure its behavior in response to an empty space (Day1), a same-sex vole in a container (Day2), and an empty container (Day3). The brain of a subgroup of subjects was processed for Golgi staining to assess the impact of disruptions on hippocampal dendritic morphology in adulthood. Males that experienced social disruption in early life displayed lower stress levels on Day2 of testing than males and females in other groups. This effect was only evident in males that did not experience social disruptions as subadults. Socio-ecological disruptions at postpartum had an unanticipated impact on the hippocampus of the voles. The apical dendrites of the CA3 neurons in male and female voles that experienced either social or ecological disruptions in early life and remained socially isolated as subadults were longer than those in undisturbed voles. Our results suggest that social disruptions experienced in early life modulate the male's stress-related behaviors and may thus influence his monogamous tendencies. Exposure to disruptions may also impact the memory circuits of the brain that monogamous animals use to make mating decisions.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Socio-Ecological Disruptions at Critical Periods During Development Alter Stress Responses and Hippocampal Dendritic Morphology of Prairie Voles: Implications for Social Monogamy

et al. 2018

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“…This study, which remains among few of its kind in a vertebrate, showed strong evidence that phenotypic divergence between the populations is explained by divergence in ERα distribution. Levels of ERα in the medial amygdala depend, to a degree, on environmental factors (Perry et al, 2016) but may also be modulated by regulatory variation as described above in Section 4. To further connect gene sequence with behavior in voles, juncos, and other behaviorally diverging populations, regulatory variation in sex steroid receptors should be identified and its ability to alter gene expression tested in vitro.…”

Section: Animal Modelsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Polymorphisms in sex steroid receptors: From gene sequence to behavior

Maney

2017

Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology

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Sex steroid receptors have received much interest as potential mediators of human behaviors and mental disorders. Candidate gene association studies have identified about 50 genetic variants of androgen and estrogen receptors that correlate with human behavioral phenotypes. Because most of these polymorphisms lie outside coding regions, discerning their effect on receptor function is not straightforward. Thus, although discoveries of associations improve our ability to predict risk, they have not greatly advanced our understanding of underlying mechanisms. This article is intended to serve as a starting point for psychologists and other behavioral biologists to consider potential mechanisms. Here, I review associations between polymorphisms in sex steroid receptors and human behavioral phenotypes. I then consider ways in which genetic variation can affect processes such as mRNA transcription, splicing, and stability. Finally, I suggest ways that hypotheses about mechanism can be tested, for example using in vitro assays and/or animal models.

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“…Any kind of stress can affect brain function by making long-term changes in the nervous system. There is evidence that SIS experience in early life is associated with depression and anxiety behaviors (22).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of Antidepressant, Antianxiolytic, and Antioxidant Effects of Echium amoenum L. Extract on Social Isolation Stress of Male Mice

Abdol

Setorki

2020

Iran Red Crescent Med J

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Background:One of the most important herbal remedies in Iran is Echium amoenum L. It has been used in traditional Iranian pharmaceutical formulations and has provided an interesting area of research for various drug activities. Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate the antidepressant and antianxiolytic effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Echium amoenum L. in a socially isolated model of male mice. Methods: In this experimental study, 50 male Balb/c mice weighing 25 to 30 g were divided into five groups of 10 mice. The control group received normal saline. The treatment groups received the Echium amoenum L. hydroalcoholic extract for five days at doses of 50, 75, and 100 mg/kg via i.p injection and the negative control group received social isolation and normal saline. Results: Echium amoenum L. hydroalcoholic extract at doses of 50, 75, and 100 mg/kg significantly reduced immobility in the forced swimming test in mice exposed to social isolation stress. Echium amoenum L. extract at doses of 75 and 100 mg/kg significantly increased the number of crossings in the center of the open-field box. The time of staying in the open arms increased significantly in groups receiving the extract at 50, 75, and 100 mg/kg. Treatment with Echium amoenum L. extract reduced the serum and brain tissue levels of nitric oxide and malondialdehyde in mice exposed to social isolation stress and enhanced the total antioxidant capacity of serum and brain tissue. Conclusions: Modulating the nitric oxide system and reducing oxidative stress may be essential mechanisms of Echium amoenum L. extract in reducing depression and anxiety in mice.

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Chronic social isolation enhances reproduction in the monogamous prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster)

Cited by 14 publications

References 59 publications

Socio-Ecological Disruptions at Critical Periods During Development Alter Stress Responses and Hippocampal Dendritic Morphology of Prairie Voles: Implications for Social Monogamy

Socio-Ecological Disruptions at Critical Periods During Development Alter Stress Responses and Hippocampal Dendritic Morphology of Prairie Voles: Implications for Social Monogamy

Polymorphisms in sex steroid receptors: From gene sequence to behavior

Evaluation of Antidepressant, Antianxiolytic, and Antioxidant Effects of Echium amoenum L. Extract on Social Isolation Stress of Male Mice

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