Class
Article
College
College of Science
Department
English Department
Faculty Mentor
Sara Freeman
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Abstract
Oxytocin is a neuropeptide that is important in social behavior and in the formation of pair bonds between mates. One study found that oxytocin receptor levels in monogamous female prairie voles were lower in animals which had been separated from their mate for some time. In order to further study oxytocin's importance in social bond formation and to test for any possible effects partner loss could have on oxytocin in the brain, I conducted a study on monogamous female coyote brain tissue. Four brain specimens were examined from paired female coyotes, while three brain specimens were examined from widowed female coyotes. After completing autoradiography with a radioligand specific to oxytocin receptors, I developed film images which depicted the density of oxytocin receptors in the brain. I quantified the binding densities from different brain regions (that are important in social behavior and reward) for each coyote subject. After analyzing the data, I conclude that partner loss did not have a significant effect on oxytocin receptor measures in the studied brain regions.
Location
Logan, UT
Start Date
4-8-2022 12:00 AM
Included in
Effect of Partner Loss on Oxytocin Measures in the Social Brain of Monogamous Coyotes
Logan, UT
Oxytocin is a neuropeptide that is important in social behavior and in the formation of pair bonds between mates. One study found that oxytocin receptor levels in monogamous female prairie voles were lower in animals which had been separated from their mate for some time. In order to further study oxytocin's importance in social bond formation and to test for any possible effects partner loss could have on oxytocin in the brain, I conducted a study on monogamous female coyote brain tissue. Four brain specimens were examined from paired female coyotes, while three brain specimens were examined from widowed female coyotes. After completing autoradiography with a radioligand specific to oxytocin receptors, I developed film images which depicted the density of oxytocin receptors in the brain. I quantified the binding densities from different brain regions (that are important in social behavior and reward) for each coyote subject. After analyzing the data, I conclude that partner loss did not have a significant effect on oxytocin receptor measures in the studied brain regions.