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Oxytocin and vasopressin within the ventral and dorsal lateral septum modulate aggression in female rats

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  • Vinícius Elias de Moura Oliveira

    (University of Regensburg)

  • Michael Lukas

    (University of Regensburg)

  • Hannah Nora Wolf

    (University of Regensburg)

  • Elisa Durante

    (University of Regensburg)

  • Alexandra Lorenz

    (University of Regensburg)

  • Anna-Lena Mayer

    (University of Regensburg)

  • Anna Bludau

    (University of Regensburg)

  • Oliver J. Bosch

    (University of Regensburg)

  • Valery Grinevich

    (University of Heidelberg)

  • Veronica Egger

    (University of Regensburg)

  • Trynke R. Jong

    (University of Regensburg
    Medische Biobank Noord-Nederland B.V.)

  • Inga D. Neumann

    (University of Regensburg)

Abstract

In contrast to male rats, aggression in virgin female rats has been rarely studied. Here, we established a rat model of enhanced aggression in females using a combination of social isolation and aggression-training to specifically investigate the involvement of the oxytocin (OXT) and arginine vasopressin (AVP) systems within the lateral septum (LS). Using neuropharmacological, optogenetic, chemogenetic as well as microdialysis approaches, we revealed that enhanced OXT release within the ventral LS (vLS), combined with reduced AVP release within the dorsal LS (dLS), is required for aggression in female rats. Accordingly, increased activity of putative OXT receptor-positive neurons in the vLS, and decreased activity of putative AVP receptor-positive neurons in the dLS, are likely to underly aggression in female rats. Finally, in vitro activation of OXT receptors in the vLS increased tonic GABAergic inhibition of dLS neurons. Overall, our data suggest a model showing that septal release of OXT and AVP differentially affects aggression in females by modulating the inhibitory tone within LS sub-networks.

Suggested Citation

  • Vinícius Elias de Moura Oliveira & Michael Lukas & Hannah Nora Wolf & Elisa Durante & Alexandra Lorenz & Anna-Lena Mayer & Anna Bludau & Oliver J. Bosch & Valery Grinevich & Veronica Egger & Trynke R., 2021. "Oxytocin and vasopressin within the ventral and dorsal lateral septum modulate aggression in female rats," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-15, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:12:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-021-23064-5
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23064-5
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