Class
Article
College
Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services
Department
Psychology Department
Faculty Mentor
Sara Freeman
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Abstract
Arginine vasopressin (AVP) is a neuropeptide known for its key role in the formation of social bonds and acts through binding to the AVP 1a receptor (AVPR1a). Most notably, research has demonstrated that monogamous species have higher levels of AVPR1a compared to non-monogamous species. AVPR1a is typically found in brain regions facilitating individual relations, social memory, and interspecies attachment; these areas are closely associated with partner preference and monogamous behavior. In addition, it has been observed in prairie voles that levels of social neuropeptides, such as oxytocin, will decrease when pair-mates are separated for extended time periods. A majority of AVP-related monogamy research thus far has been focused on select rodent and primate species, but this project elects to focus on the monogamous coyote (Canis latrans). This species is unique due to their combined social, sexual, and genetic monogamy. Of interest to this study is how AVPR1a binding densities differ in coyotes who were either paired or widowed at the time of death. Three brains of each sub-group were opportunistically collected from the Millville Predator Research Center. Samples were procured and preserved on dry ice within hours of death, stored at -80C, and sectioned at 20 microns on a cryostat. The slide-mounted slices were then run through an autoradiography procedure to locate AVPR1a binding sites. The resulting slides were then analyzed using digital densitometry to quantify the AVPR1a binding levels. Areas of interest to this study (for their association with social behavior, as seen in other species) include the hippocampus, cingulate cortex, sylvian fissure, and rhinal cortex. We expected to find lower AVPR1a binding in widowed coyotes due to their prolonged removal from their pair mate, but we found no statistically significant differences in any region between the two groups. To our knowledge, this is the first study quantifiably comparing AVP binding affinity in the deep brains of widowed and pair-mated coyotes.
Location
Logan, UT
Start Date
4-12-2023 12:30 PM
End Date
4-12-2023 1:30 PM
Included in
Comparing Vasopressin Receptor 1A Density in Paired vs. Widowed Coyote Brains
Logan, UT
Arginine vasopressin (AVP) is a neuropeptide known for its key role in the formation of social bonds and acts through binding to the AVP 1a receptor (AVPR1a). Most notably, research has demonstrated that monogamous species have higher levels of AVPR1a compared to non-monogamous species. AVPR1a is typically found in brain regions facilitating individual relations, social memory, and interspecies attachment; these areas are closely associated with partner preference and monogamous behavior. In addition, it has been observed in prairie voles that levels of social neuropeptides, such as oxytocin, will decrease when pair-mates are separated for extended time periods. A majority of AVP-related monogamy research thus far has been focused on select rodent and primate species, but this project elects to focus on the monogamous coyote (Canis latrans). This species is unique due to their combined social, sexual, and genetic monogamy. Of interest to this study is how AVPR1a binding densities differ in coyotes who were either paired or widowed at the time of death. Three brains of each sub-group were opportunistically collected from the Millville Predator Research Center. Samples were procured and preserved on dry ice within hours of death, stored at -80C, and sectioned at 20 microns on a cryostat. The slide-mounted slices were then run through an autoradiography procedure to locate AVPR1a binding sites. The resulting slides were then analyzed using digital densitometry to quantify the AVPR1a binding levels. Areas of interest to this study (for their association with social behavior, as seen in other species) include the hippocampus, cingulate cortex, sylvian fissure, and rhinal cortex. We expected to find lower AVPR1a binding in widowed coyotes due to their prolonged removal from their pair mate, but we found no statistically significant differences in any region between the two groups. To our knowledge, this is the first study quantifiably comparing AVP binding affinity in the deep brains of widowed and pair-mated coyotes.