The vasopressin V1a and V1b receptors in the medial preoptic area mediate maternal care in lactating rats

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The neuropeptide arginine vasopressin (AVP) plays a central role in male but also female social behaviors. AVP and its V1a receptor – besides the oxytocin system - is a significant regulator of maternal care, and the medial preoptic area (MPOA) is an important brain area in mediating maternal behavior. Not only V1a but also V1b receptors are expressed in the brain, but their role within the MPOA in mediating maternal care is by far not understood.In the present project I will investigate in detail the role of the AVP system with focus on V1a and V1b receptors within the MPOA for maternal care (methods: gene knockdown via shRNA; specific stimulation/blockade of receptors via novel selective agonists and antagonists). Furthermore, the different brain regions functioning as sources of AVP released within the MPOA should be identified by means of neuropeptide-specific adeno-associated viral vectors. As AVP neurons of the suprachiasmatic nucleus project to the MPOA I will investigate the interplay of these two brain regions and extend it to other brain regions. In addition, I will describe the neuronal activation pattern within the MPOA with respect to V1a and V1b receptors in context of maternal care (c-Fos).