Oxytocin receptor binding in female prairie voles: endogenous and exogenous oestradiol stimulation.

Abstract Previous studies have demonstrated that oxytocin receptors in specific nuclei of rat forebrain are regulated by gonadal steroids. The current study used in vitro receptor autoradiography to investigate the distribution and regulation of oxytocin receptors in the forebrain of the female prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster). In contrast to rats, in female prairie voles gonadal steroid secretion and oestrus behaviour result from male chemosignal stimulation and ovulation is induced by mating.