Parenthood and gene expression of oxytocin receptors and vasopressin receptors in sensory cortices of the male California mouse (Peromyscus californicus).

The onset of parental care is associated with shifts in parents' perception of sensory stimuli from infants, mediated by neural plasticity in sensory systems. In new mothers, changes in auditory and olfactory processing have been linked to plasticity at several points along both sensory pathways, including cortical changes that are modulated, at least in part, by oxytocin. In males of biparental species, vasopressin, in addition to oxytocin, is important for modulating parental behavior; however, little is known about sensory plasticity in new fathers.

Hypocretin in the nucleus accumbens shell modulates social approach in female but not male California mice.

The hypocretin (Hcrt) system modulates arousal and anxiety-related behaviors and has been considered as a novel treatment target for stress-related affective disorders. We examined the effects of Hcrt acting in the nucleus accumbens shell (NAcSh) and anterodorsal bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (adBNST) on social behavior in male and female California mice (Peromyscus californicus). In female but not male California mice, infusion of Hcrt1 into NAcSh decreased social approach.

Sex differences in responses to aggressive encounters among California mice.

Despite how widespread female aggression is across the animal kingdom, there remains much unknown about its neuroendocrine mechanisms, especially in females that engage in aggression outside the peripartum period. Although the impact of aggressive experience on steroid hormone responses have been described, little is known about the impact of these experiences on female behavior or the subsequent neuropeptide responses to performing aggression. In this study, we compared behavioral responses in both male and female adult California mice based on if they had 0, 1, or 3 aggressive encounters using a resident intruder paradigm.

Sexual differentiation of neural mechanisms of stress sensitivity during puberty.

Anxiety disorders are a major public health concern and current treatments are inadequate for many individuals. Anxiety is more common in women than men and this difference arises during puberty. Sex differences in physiological stress responses may contribute to this variability.

Effects of Parental Experience and Age on Expression of Prolactin, Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide and their Receptors in a Biparental Bird (Columba livia).

As animals gain parental experience, they often show more rapid and efficient parental care responses that likely improve offspring survival and fitness. Changes in circulating hormones that underlie reproductive behaviors, including prolactin, have been found to correlate with parental experience in birds and mammals. Altered responsiveness to prolactin in key behavioral centers of the brain may also underlie the effects of experience on parental behaviors.