Sex differences in structural and receptor mRNA expression in the ventral anterior cingulate cortex and a potential role of perineuronal nets in monogamous pair bond establishment (Peromyscus californicus).

ABSTRACT: The monogamous California mouse (Peromyscus californicus) exhibits distinct behavioral changes during pair bond formation. Using a detailed temporal behavioral analysis over seven days, we found a rapid decrease in aggression within 24 h of pair introduction in this highly territorial species. After this aggression reduction, the gradual increase in affiliative behaviors varied by type of affiliative behavior and ranged from one to seven days. We then measured neurobiological changes at three time points during this transition to uncover mechanisms that might govern this shift from aggressive to affiliative behavior, revealing novel sex differences that add to current research on biological mechanisms of social bonding. Specifically, we examined plasticity through mRNA expression of two pe

SUBMITTER: Malone CL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12323146 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature