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Effects of Oxytocin in the Medial Prefrontal Cortex: Anxiety, Maternal Care, and Maternal Aggression

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2013, Master of Arts, Ohio State University, Psychology.
The neuropeptide oxytocin (OT) regulates anxiety, maternal care, and maternal aggression. The neural circuitry underlying OT's behavioral effects have yet to be fully elucidated but may include the mPFC, a brain region that contains OT-sensitive neurons, expresses OT receptors (OTR), and receives long-range axonal projections from OT-producing neurons in the hypothalamus. To test this possibility we performed two sets experiments. In the first set, we examined anxiety-like behavior after OT, or the closely related neuropeptide vasopressin, was infused into mPFC of virgin male and female rats. In the second set of experiments, an oxytocin receptor antagonist was infused into the mPFC of postpartum female rats and maternal care, maternal aggression as well as anxiety-like behavior were evaluated. Our results show that OT, but not vasopressin, reduced anxiety-like behavior in both virgin males and females. In addition, blocking OTR in the mPFC of postpartum females increased anxiety, impaired maternal behavior and enhanced maternal aggression. Overall, these results suggest that the mPFC is a site where OT acts to modulate maternal care and maternal aggression during the postpartum period as well as anxiety-related behavior regardless of sex or reproductive status.
Benedetta Leuner (Advisor)
John Bruno (Committee Member)
Derick Lindquist (Committee Member)
86 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Sabihi, S. (2013). Effects of Oxytocin in the Medial Prefrontal Cortex: Anxiety, Maternal Care, and Maternal Aggression [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1377510475

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Sabihi, Sara. Effects of Oxytocin in the Medial Prefrontal Cortex: Anxiety, Maternal Care, and Maternal Aggression. 2013. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1377510475.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Sabihi, Sara. "Effects of Oxytocin in the Medial Prefrontal Cortex: Anxiety, Maternal Care, and Maternal Aggression." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2013. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1377510475

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)