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At least 325 records · Page 18Linked to original sources
PubMed2004

Effects of central vasotocin and mesotocin manipulations on social behavior in male and female zebra finches.

Male and female zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata; total n = 40) were fitted with chronic guide cannulae directed at the lateral ventricle and were tested for aggression, affiliation, and partner preference following infusions of mesotocin (MT), vasotocin (VT), their antagonists, and vehicle control. Aggressive behavior was tested in a mate competition paradigm and tests of intersexual affiliation and partner preference were conducted following 1 day of cohabitation with an opposite-sex individual. These tests also provided data on male courtship singing. The results demonstrate a modest dose-dependent facilitation of aggression by VT, but not MT, in both male and female finches. However, only males were sensitive to infusions of a vasopressin antagonist, suggesting that endogenous VT is more important for behavioral modulation in males. Peptide effects were specific to aggression, as no treatments influenced intersexual affiliation, partner preference, or male courtship singing. Thus, in contrast to rodents, partner preference is not readily induced by VT or MT in this species. However, the potential necessity of endogenous VT and MT for natural pair-bond formation remains to be tested.

Aggression↗
PubMed1998

The medial amygdaloid nucleus modifies social behavior in male rats.

Electrical stimulation of the medial amygdaloid nucleus (AME) produces a behavioral state in male rats that resembles the postejaculatory interval, but electrical recording from cells in the AME shows that they become active earlier in sexual behavior, around the time that the male first appears to become aware of estrus in the female. In an attempt to resolve which feature of sexual behavior was mediated by the AME, we stimulated the structure bilaterally in freely behaving males using voltage levels too low to produce the postejaculatory interval. We found that electrical activation of this kind facilitated sexual behavior when it would not otherwise occur (i.e., in the presence of a nonestrous female). However, the stimuli suppressed sexual behavior when it would normally occur (i.e., in the presence of a nonestrous female). We discuss alternative interpretations of the results in the context of a general model for the central organization of sexual behavior in males.

Amygdala↗
PubMed2006

Reproductive social behavior: cooperative games to replace sexual selection.

Theories about sexual selection can be traced back to Darwin in 1871. He proposed that males fertilize as many females as possible with inexpensive sperm, whereas females, with a limited supply of large eggs, select the genetically highest quality males to endow their offspring with superior capabilities. Since its proposal, problems with this narrative have continued to accumulate, and it is our view that sexual selection theory needs to be replaced. We suggest an approach that relies on the exchange of direct ecological benefits among cooperating animals without reference to genetic benefits. This approach can be expressed mathematically in a branch of game theory that pertains to bargaining and side payments.

Animals↗