Since oxytocin (OT) has been found to be involved in stress coping and auditory processing, we tested whether the OT sequence and brain expression pattern and content differ in wild munias and domesticated Bengalese finches. Bengalese finches and munias also have different song types. Similar to other domesticated species, Bengalese finches show a reduced fear response and have lower corticosterone levels, compared to WRMs. The Bengalese finch was domesticated more than 250 years ago from the wild white-rumped munia (WRM). However, the potential necessity of endogenous VT and MT for natural pair-bond formation remains to be tested. Thus, in contrast to rodents, partner preference is not readily induced by VT or MT in this species. Peptide effects were specific to aggression, as no treatments influenced intersexual affiliation, partner preference, or male courtship singing. However, only males were sensitive to infusions of a vasopressin antagonist, suggesting that endogenous VT is more important for behavioral modulation in males. The results demonstrate a modest dose-dependent facilitation of aggression by VT, but not MT, in both male and female finches. These tests also provided data on male courtship singing. Aggressive behavior was tested in a mate competition paradigm and tests of intersexual affiliation and partner preference were conducted following 1 day of cohabitation with an opposite-sex individual. Male and female zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata total n = 40) were fitted with chronic guide cannulae directed at the lateral ventricle and were tested for aggression, affiliation, and partner preference following infusions of mesotocin (MT), vasotocin (VT), their antagonists, and vehicle control.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |