Sex-dependent regulation of social reward by oxytocin receptors in the ventral tegmental area.

ABSTRACT: Social reward is critical for social relationships, and yet we know little about the characteristics of social interactions that are rewarding or the neural mechanisms underlying that reward. Here, we investigate the sex-dependent role of oxytocin receptors within the ventral tegmental area (VTA) in mediating the magnitude and valence of social reward. Operant and classical conditioning tests were used to measure social reward associated with same-sex social interactions. The effects of oxytocin, selective oxytocin receptor agonists, antagonists, and vehicle injected into the VTA on social reward was determined in male and female Syrian hamsters. The colocalization of FOS and oxytocin in sites that project to the VTA following social interaction was also determined. Females find same-sex s

SUBMITTER: Borland JM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6372681 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature