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Examining tyrosine hydroxylase positive neurons and their relationship with social and genetic monogamy in semi-natural populations of prairie voles Microtus ochrogaster

Lichter, James Bernard
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9141-6340
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1596098759357158

Abstract Details

2020, Master of Science, Miami University, Biology.
Social and genetic monogamy are social and mating systems that are influenced by numerous neurochemicals including dopamine, which is identifiable by the presence of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH). Previous research on TH has only been performed in laboratory experiments but never in a semi-natural environment. I released prairie voles Microtus ochrogaster descended from two populations into semi-natural environments and tracked their behavior with radio-telemetry and live trapping. Using immunofluorescence, I examined changes in the number of TH positive (TH-ir) neurons. Socially monogamous males had lower TH-ir within the medial pre-optic area (MPA) and the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) than non-monogamous males, however usually only in males from one population. Also, males that sired offspring with more females had more TH-ir within the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST). These results suggest that TH synthesis within the BNST is responsive to mating, whereas TH within the MPA and PVN may be more responsive to a combination of social and mating cues. There was no evidence that co-localization of the immediate early gene (IEG) fosB with TH-ir neurons was related to monogamy. This study suggests that, in semi-natural environments, dopamine is involved in expression of monogamy, although there were population differences.
Nancy Solomon (Advisor)
Brian Keane (Committee Member)
Matthew McMurray (Committee Member)
53 p.
Biology; Neurosciences
FosB, Genetic Monogamy, Prairie Vole, Social Monogamy, Tyrosine Hydroxylase

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Lichter, J. B. (2020). Examining tyrosine hydroxylase positive neurons and their relationship with social and genetic monogamy in semi-natural populations of prairie voles Microtus ochrogaster [Master's thesis, Miami University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1596098759357158

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Lichter, James. Examining tyrosine hydroxylase positive neurons and their relationship with social and genetic monogamy in semi-natural populations of prairie voles Microtus ochrogaster. 2020. Miami University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1596098759357158.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Lichter, James. "Examining tyrosine hydroxylase positive neurons and their relationship with social and genetic monogamy in semi-natural populations of prairie voles Microtus ochrogaster." Master's thesis, Miami University, 2020. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1596098759357158

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

miami1596098759357158
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This open access ETD is published by Miami University and OhioLINK.