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Projekt Druckansicht

Oxytocin-Signaltransduktion im ventralen Hippocampus: von der Modulation des lokalen Kreislaufs bis zu Sozial- und Sexualverhalten

Fachliche Zuordnung Kognitive, systemische und Verhaltensneurobiologie
Förderung Förderung von 2019 bis 2022
Projektkennung Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Projektnummer 433153533
 
Erstellungsjahr 2023

Zusammenfassung der Projektergebnisse

In the course of our work we analyzed the OT-ergic innervation of the vHipp and demonstrated that both the PVN and SON ubuquitosly project to this region, supporting and exploring our initial tracing studies. Further, we identified three OTR+ cell types in the vHipp CA1, INs, OTR+ pyramids and RGCs. Recently developed retro FLP/FRT technique helped us to demonstrate that these two types of cells are largerly projecting to olfactory regions and thus allowed us to initiate behavioral experiments, which aim to precisely dissect the role of OTR+ principle cells in the modulation of odor-driven sexual information. At the present stage of the work, we clearly demonstrated that activation of all OTR+ vHipp cells or – most fascinating – exclusively OTR+ INs increased male rats´ interest in urine of mating parterns. This suggests that the OT-sensitive circuit within the vHipp may represent a potential substrate of monogamic behavior known for a very limited number of mammalian species. However, the preference towards the partner female urine, which we observed in the FEUD test was diminished in actual social interaction paradigm, which can be explained by the activation of additional sensory inputs, as well as activation of the distinct circuits, which prevent monogamic behavior in favor of polygamy to facilitate a propagation of mammalian species in natural habitat. In conclusion, the overarching goal of this project, even lasting beyond the funding period, remains to validate our hypothesis that OT signaling in the vHippo is an evolutionary old mechanism of monogamy hidden in the mammalian brain.

Projektbezogene Publikationen (Auswahl)

 
 

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