Weak effects of common genetic variation in oxytocin and vasopressin receptor genes on rhesus macaque social behavior.

ABSTRACT: The neuropeptides oxytocin (OT) and arginine vasopressin (AVP) influence pair bonding, attachment, and sociality, as well as anxiety and stress responses in humans and other mammals. The effects of these peptides are mediated by genetic variability in their associated receptors, OXTR and the AVPR gene family. However, the role of these genes in regulating social behaviors in non-human primates is not well understood. To address this question, we examined whether genetic variation in the OT receptor gene OXTR and the AVP receptor genes AVPR1A and AVPR1B influence naturally-occurring social behavior in free-ranging rhesus macaques-gregarious primates that share many features of their biology and social behavior with humans. We assessed rates of social behavior across 3,250 hr of observationa

SUBMITTER: Madlon-Kay S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6202203 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature