Sexual dimorphism in striatal dopaminergic responses promotes monogamy in social songbirds.

ABSTRACT: In many songbird species, males sing to attract females and repel rivals. How can gregarious, non-territorial songbirds such as zebra finches, where females have access to numerous males, sustain monogamy? We found that the dopaminergic reward circuitry of zebra finches can simultaneously promote social cohesion and breeding boundaries. Surprisingly, in unmated males but not in females, striatal dopamine neurotransmission was elevated after hearing songs. Behaviorally too, unmated males but not females persistently exchanged mild punishments in return for songs. Song reinforcement diminished when dopamine receptors were blocked. In females, we observed song reinforcement exclusively to the mate's song, although their striatal dopamine neurotransmission was only slightly elevated. These fin

SUBMITTER: Tokarev K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5584986 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature