Role of sexually dimorphic oxytocin receptor-expressing neurons in the anteroventral periventricular nucleus on maternal behavior.
Peptides
; 180: 171283, 2024 Oct.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-39142352
ABSTRACT
Oxytocin is a neuropeptide produced by magnocellular neurosecretory neurons located primarily in the supraoptic nucleus and paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus. The long axons of these neurons project to the neurohypophysis where oxytocin is released into the general circulation in response to the physiological demands. Oxytocin plays critical roles in female reproductive physiology, specifically in uterine contraction during labor and milk ejection while nursing. Oxytocin is also called "the love hormone" due to its modulatory roles in prosocial behaviors, including social recognition, maternal behavior, and pair bonding. Oxytocin influences behaviors by binding to oxytocin receptors (OXTR) located in various parts of the brain. Previously, we discovered a group of estrogen-dependent OXTR neurons that is exclusively present in the anteroventral periventricular nucleus (AVPV) of females but not of males. The female-specific expression of OXTR in the AVPV is a rare case of neurochemically-demonstrated, all-or-none sexual dimorphism in the brain. In this review, the cellular characterization and functional significance of the sexually dimorphic OXTR neurons in the AVPV as well as the clinical implications of the research will be discussed.
Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Oxitocina
/
Caracteres Sexuales
/
Receptores de Oxitocina
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Conducta Materna
/
Neuronas
Límite:
Animals
/
Female
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Humans
/
Male
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Peptides
Año:
2024
Tipo del documento:
Article
Pais de publicación:
Estados Unidos