Differences in dopamine and opioid receptor ratios in the nucleus accumbens relate to physical contact and undirected song in pair-bonded zebra finches.

ABSTRACT: Long-term social bonds are critical for survival and reproductive success in many species. Although courtship and pair-bond formation are relatively well studied, much less is known about the neural regulation of behaviors that occur after pair bonding that reinforce the bond and contribute to reproductive success. Dopamine and opioids in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) alter motivational state and reward by binding to receptor subtypes that engage distinct and opposing second messenger systems, and there is evidence that receptor ratios may influence social behavior. We used quantitative real-time PCR to explore relationships between messenger RNA ratios for dopamine D1 and D2 receptors (D1:D2) and mu and kappa opioid receptors (MOR:KOR) in NAc and behaviors implicated in reproductive investm

SUBMITTER: Alger SJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8863637 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature