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

神经肽精氨酸加压素（AVP）在男性和女性的社会行为中起着核心作用。AVP及其V1a受体，除催产素系统外，是产妇护理的重要调节因子，内侧视前区（medial preoptic area， MPOA）是调节产妇行为的重要脑区。不仅V1a和V1b受体在大脑中表达，但它们在MPOA中介导孕产妇护理的作用迄今尚不清楚。在本项目中，我将详细研究AVP系统的作用，重点关注MPOA中V1a和V1b受体对孕产妇护理的作用（方法：通过shRNA敲低基因；通过新型选择性激动剂和拮抗剂特异性刺激/阻断受体）。此外，作为MPOA内AVP释放源的不同脑区应该通过神经肽特异性腺相关病毒载体来识别。随着视交叉上核的AVP神经元向MPOA投射，我将研究这两个脑区之间的相互作用，并将其扩展到其他脑区。此外，我将描述在产妇护理（c-Fos）的背景下，MPOA内关于V1a和V1b受体的神经元激活模式。

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).