Involvement of the oxytocin system in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis in the sex-specific regulation of social recognition. (February 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dumais, Kelly M.; Alonso, Andrea G.; Immormino, Marisa A.; Bredewold, Remco; Veenema, Alexa H.
• Is Part Of: Psychoneuroendocrinology. Volume 64(2016:Feb.)
• Page Start: 79
• Page End: 88
• Publication Date: 2016-02
• Subjects: Oxytocin -- Bed nucleus of the stria terminalis -- Sex differences -- Social recognition -- Social investigation -- Microdialysis; Psychoneuroendocrinology -- Periodicals; Endocrinology -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Neuropsychoendocrinologie -- Périodiques; 616.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2015.11.007
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-4530

Abstract

Highlights: Oxytocin receptor activation in the BNST is necessary for social recognition in both sexes. Oxytocin administration in the BNST prolongs social recognition in males only. Oxytocin release in the BNST is higher in males than females during successful social recognition. The oxytocin system in the BNST regulates social recognition in sex-specific ways. Abstract: Sex differences in the oxytocin (OT) system in the brain may explain why OT often regulates social behaviors in sex-specific ways. However, a link between sex differences in the OT system and sex-specific regulation of social behavior has not been tested. Here, we determined whether sex differences in the OT receptor (OTR) or in OT release in the posterior bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (pBNST) mediates sex-specific regulation of social recognition in rats. We recently showed that, compared to female rats, male rats have a three-fold higher OTR binding density in the pBNST, a sexually dimorphic area implicated in the regulation of social behaviors. We now demonstrate that OTR antagonist (5 ng/0.5 μl/side) administration into the pBNST impairs social recognition in both sexes, while OT (100 pg/0.5 μl/side) administration into the pBNST prolongs the duration of social recognition in males only. These effects seem specific to social recognition, as neither treatment altered total social investigation time in either sex. Moreover, baseline OT release in the pBNST, as measured with in vivo microdialysis, did not differ between the sexes. However, males showed higher OT release in the pBNST during social recognition compared to females. These findings suggest a sex-specific role of the OT system in the pBNST in the regulation of social recognition.