Effects of experience and avpr1a microsatellite length on parental care in male prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster)

Kelley, Rebecca A.; Castelli, Frank R.; Mabry, Karen E.; Solomon, Nancy G.

doi:10.1007/s00265-013-1524-7

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

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“…Exposure to young clearly produces changes in caregiving behavior, but there remains a question of whether these changes are permanent and stable, or are dynamic and dependent on the individual's current demand for caregiving behavior. Experience effects, in particular those that demonstrate enhancements in care from the first litter to the second (Barbosa et al., 2017;Barbosa & Da Silva Mota, 2013;Perea-Rodriguez et al, 2015) or those that result from exposure to younger siblings (Kelley, Castelli, Mabry, & Solomon, 2013;Salo & French, 1989;Stone et al, 2010;Tardif et al, 1984) suggest that these changes are permanent. However there is evidence that caregiving behavior, and the underlying neurobiology that mediates these changes, are responsive to differences in parenting demand.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Experience likely causes long‐lasting changes in the AVP system as well. Variation in the microsatellite region of the AVP V1a receptor gene is associated with caregiving behavior in prairie voles (Hammock & Young, ), but this gene‐behavior association is present only during the first litter, and is not present in experienced caregivers (Kelley et al, ). Since providing quality caregiving is important for offspring development, and because there is variability in the effects of experience on caregiving behavior (Kelley et al, ), it is critical to understand the neurobiological mechanisms that mediate the relationships between caregiving experience and the expression of quality care, particularly in species with complex social behavior and long developmental histories.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Vasopressin, but not oxytocin, modulates responses to infant stimuli in marmosets providing care to dependent infants

Taylor

Carp

French

2019

Developmental Psychobiology

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In family-living species, the quality and patterning of caregiving is the product of an individual's role within the family (mother, father, sibling) and parental experience, both of which interact with underlying neurobiological substrates. Among these substrates are the nonapeptides vasopressin and oxytocin, which modulate maternal, paternal, and alloparental care. We used a nonhuman primate model of the "nuclear family," the marmoset (Callithrix jacchus), to investigate relationships between caregiving experience, role within the family, and activation of either the oxytocin or vasopressin systems in shaping responsiveness to offspring. During two phases of offspring development (early infancy, juvenile), mothers, fathers, and older siblings were treated with vasopressin, oxytocin, or saline via intranasal application, and tested for responses to infant distress stimuli in a within-subjects design. Interest in infant stimuli was highest among marmosets that were caring for infants compared to those caring for juveniles, and parentally experienced marmosets were quicker to respond to infant stimuli than first-time caregivers. Moreover, marmosets treated with vasopressin showed enhanced responsiveness to infant stimuli compared to control stimuli only when caring for infants. Thus, in all classes of marmoset caregivers, vasopressin enhances responsiveness to infant-associated stimuli in caregivers during periods in which infant care is most crucial.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vasopressin, but not oxytocin, modulates responses to infant stimuli in marmosets providing care to dependent infants

Taylor

Carp

French

2019

Developmental Psychobiology

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Nature and Nurture in Parental Care

Royle

Moore

2019

Genes and Behaviour

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The role of avpr1a microsatellite length on reproductive success of female Microtus ochrogaster

Harris

Alvarez

Keane

et al. 2014

Behav

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Vasopressin and its’ interactions with the vasopressin 1a receptor (V1aR) are important in the formation of social attachments and parental behavior in male mammals but there also is evidence that vasopressin is involved in maternal behavior in female mammals. Laboratory studies have shown that female rats with greater expression of V1aR in particular brain regions display more maternal behavior than those with less V1aR expression. Previous data showed that variation in neural V1aR expression in males of several species of rodents was influenced by the length of microsatellite DNA within the regulatory region of gene (avpr1a) encoding V1aR. In male prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster), the neural expression of V1aR differs between individuals with longer versus shorter avpr1a microsatellites. Males with longer avpr1a microsatellites had greater V1aR expression in particular brain regions, spent more time with their female social partner, and licked and groomed pups more than males with shorter avpr1a microsatellite lengths. If avpr1a microsatellite length is correlated with V1aR expression in females in a similar fashion to that in male prairie voles, females with longer avpr1a microsatellites should have greater reproductive success since maternal care should be critical for offspring survival. In addition, female prairie voles may benefit by living with males that have longer avpr1a microsatellites due to increased male presence at the nest and paternal care. We tested these predictions with prairie voles from semi-natural populations. Females that had summed avpr1a microsatellite allele lengths greater than the median produced more litters and total offspring than females with summed avpr1a lengths less than the median. Females with summed avpr1a microsatellite allele lengths greater than the median also produced offspring sired by more males. The avpr1a length of male social and genetic partners did not influence female reproductive success. This is the first field study showing a relationship between avpr1a microsatellite allele length and female reproductive success in any species.

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Effects of experience and avpr1a microsatellite length on parental care in male prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster)

Cited by 3 publications

References 54 publications

Vasopressin, but not oxytocin, modulates responses to infant stimuli in marmosets providing care to dependent infants

Vasopressin, but not oxytocin, modulates responses to infant stimuli in marmosets providing care to dependent infants

Nature and Nurture in Parental Care

The role of avpr1a microsatellite length on reproductive success of female Microtus ochrogaster

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