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Glasper ER, Kenkel WM, Bick J, Rilling JK. More than just mothers: The neurobiological and neuroendocrine underpinnings of allomaternal caregiving. Front Neuroendocrinol 2019; 53:100741. [PMID: 30822428 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2019.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2018] [Revised: 01/21/2019] [Accepted: 02/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
In a minority of mammalian species, mothers depend on others to help raise their offspring. New research is investigating the neuroendocrine mechanisms supporting this allomaternal behavior. Several hormones have been implicated in allomaternal caregiving; however, the role of specific hormones is variable across species, perhaps because allomothering independently evolved multiple times. Brain regions involved in maternal behavior in non-human animals, such as the medial preoptic area, are also critically involved in allomaternal behavior. Allomaternal experience modulates hormonal systems, neural plasticity, and behavioral reactivity. In humans, fatherhood-induced decreases in testosterone and increases in oxytocin may support sensitive caregiving. Fathers and mothers activate similar neural systems when exposed to child stimuli, and this can be considered a global "parental caregiving" network. Finally, early work on caregiving by non-kin (e.g., foster parents) suggests reliance on similar mechanisms as biologically-related parents. This article is part of the 'Parental Brain and Behavior' Special Issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- E R Glasper
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, 4094 Campus Drive, College Park, MD 20742, USA; Program in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA.
| | - W M Kenkel
- Kinsey Institute, Indiana University, 150 S. Woodlawn Avenue, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA
| | - J Bick
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, 4849 Calhoun Road, Houston, TX 77204, USA; Texas Institute for Measurement, Evaluation, and Statistics, University of Houston, 4849 Calhoun Rd, Houston, TX 77204, USA
| | - J K Rilling
- Department of Anthropology, Emory University, 207 Anthropology Building, 1557 Dickey Drive, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, 101 Woodruff Circle, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, Emory University, PO Box 3966, Atlanta, GA 30302, USA; Center for Translational Social Neuroscience, Emory University, 201 Dowman Drive, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
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Olazábal DE. Role of oxytocin in parental behaviour. J Neuroendocrinol 2018; 30:e12594. [PMID: 29603440 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2017] [Revised: 03/01/2018] [Accepted: 03/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Both animal and human studies have provided conclusive evidence that oxytocin (OXT) acts in the brain (eg, medial preoptic area, ventral tegmental area, nucleus accumbens) to promote parental behaviour under different reproductive and physiological conditions. OXT appears to accelerate and strengthen the neural process that makes newborns attractive or rewarding. Furthermore, OXT reduces stress/anxiety and might improve mood and well being, resulting in indirect benefits for parents. However, OXT also plays a role in the development of species reproductive and social strategies, making some species or individuals more prone to display caring activities in nonreproductive contexts. There are important differences in the development of the OXT system and its regulation by gonadal hormones that can make individuals or species very different. Those intra- and interspecific differences in the OXT system have been associated with differences in parental behaviour. For example, differences in OXT levels in body fluids and genetic variants for the OXT and OXT receptor genes have been associated with variability in parental mood and behaviour in humans. Thus, OXT has received much attention as a potential therapeutic agent for affective, emotional and behavioural problems. Despite many preliminary studies indicating promising findings, several unknown aspects of the OXT system remain to be addressed before we can achieve a complete understanding of its function in the brain. The enormous interest that this area of study has attracted in the last decade will likely continually contribute to advancing our understanding of the role of OXT in parental behaviour and other behavioural and physiological functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- D E Olazábal
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República Oriental del Uruguay (UdelaR), Montevideo, Uruguay
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Kenkel WM, Perkeybile AM, Carter CS. The neurobiological causes and effects of alloparenting. Dev Neurobiol 2017; 77:214-232. [PMID: 27804277 PMCID: PMC5768312 DOI: 10.1002/dneu.22465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2016] [Revised: 08/26/2016] [Accepted: 10/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Alloparenting, defined as care provided by individuals other than parents, is a universal behavior among humans that has shaped our evolutionary history and remains important in contemporary society. Dysfunctions in alloparenting can have serious and sometimes fatal consequences for vulnerable infants and children. In spite of the importance of alloparenting, they still have much to learn regarding the underlying neurobiological systems governing its expression. Here, they review how a lack of alloparental behavior among traditional laboratory species has led to a blind spot in our understanding of this critical facet of human social behavior and the relevant neurobiology. Based on what is known, they draw from model systems ranging from voles to meerkats to primates to describe a conserved set of neuroendocrine mechanisms supporting the expression of alloparental care. In this review we describe the neurobiological and behavioral prerequisites, ontogeny, and consequences of alloparental care. Lastly, they identified several outstanding topics in the area of alloparental care that deserve further research efforts to better advance human health and wellbeing. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 77: 214-232, 2017.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - C Sue Carter
- Kinsey Institute, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana
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Olazábal DE. Comparative analysis of oxytocin receptor density in the nucleus accumbens: an adaptation for female and male alloparental care? ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015; 108:213-20. [PMID: 25446893 DOI: 10.1016/j.jphysparis.2014.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2014] [Revised: 07/22/2014] [Accepted: 10/06/2014] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Parental behavior is commonly displayed by progenitors. However, other individuals, genetically related (e.g. siblings, aunts, uncles) or not with the newborns, also display parental behavior (commonly called alloparental, or adoptive behavior). I hypothesize that species that live in family or social groups where other non-reproductive members (males and females) take care of infants, have brain adaptations to promote or facilitate that behavioral response. The present work revises the evidence supporting the hypothesis that high density of oxytocin receptors (OXTR) in the nucleus accumbens (NA) is one of those adaptations. All species known to have high NA OXTR show not only female, but also male alloparental care. Therefore, I predict that high NA OXTR could be present in all species in which juvenile and adult male alloparental behavior have been observed. Strategies to test this and other alternative working hypothesis and its predictions are presented.
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Olazábal DE, Pereira M, Agrati D, Ferreira A, Fleming AS, González-Mariscal G, Lévy F, Lucion AB, Morrell JI, Numan M, Uriarte N. Flexibility and adaptation of the neural substrate that supports maternal behavior in mammals. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2013; 37:1875-92. [PMID: 23608126 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2013.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2013] [Accepted: 04/08/2013] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Maternal behavior is species-specific and expressed under different physiological conditions, and contexts. It is the result of neural processes that support different forms (e.g. postpartum, cycling sensitized and spontaneous maternal behavior) and modalities of mother-offspring interaction (e.g. maternal interaction with altricial/precocious young; selective/non-selective bond). To understand how the brain adapts to and regulates maternal behavior in different species, and physiological and social conditions we propose new neural models to explain different forms of maternal expression (e.g. sensitized and spontaneous maternal behavior) and the behavioral changes that occur across the postpartum period. We emphasize the changing role of the medial preoptic area in the neural circuitry that supports maternal behavior and the cortical regulation and adjustment of ongoing behavioral performance. Finally, we discuss how our accumulated knowledge about the psychobiology of mothering in animal models supports the validity of animal studies to guide our understanding of human mothering and to improve human welfare and health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel E Olazábal
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Avda. Gral. Flores 2125, CP 11800, Montevideo, Uruguay.
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Social condition and oxytocin neuron number in the hypothalamus of naked mole-rats (Heterocephalus glaber). Neuroscience 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2012.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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Netherton E, Schatte D. Potential for oxytocin use in children and adolescents with mental illness. Hum Psychopharmacol 2011; 26:271-81. [PMID: 21751251 DOI: 10.1002/hup.1212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2010] [Accepted: 04/19/2011] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Oxytocin, long known for its role in childbirth and breastfeeding, has recently come under investigation for its psychoactive properties. We investigated its potential for use in adolescent psychiatric populations for anxiety, depression, attachment disorders, and conduct disorder. METHODS We conducted a thorough search of the literature using the Pubmed and Psychinfo databases and reviewed both the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry from January 2000 until June 2010 and the new research abstracts from the 2009 and 2008 American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry conferences. We also surveyed the studies, both ongoing and recruiting, currently receiving National Institutes of Health funding to study oxytocin. RESULTS We found numerous articles outlining benefits of intranasal oxytocin administration on individual traits, both in healthy and psychiatric populations. We also found ongoing phase II clinical trials for oxytocin uses as an antipsychotic or anxiolytic. CONCLUSIONS Given the research already conducted, we recommend investigation into the therapeutic use of oxytocin in adolescent populations for anxiety, psychosis, attachment disorders, and conduct disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth Netherton
- University of Texas Health Science Center Houston Medical School, Houston, Texas, USA.
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Neonatal oxytocin alters subsequent estrogen receptor alpha protein expression and estrogen sensitivity in the female rat. Behav Brain Res 2009; 205:154-61. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2009.08.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2009] [Revised: 06/06/2009] [Accepted: 08/19/2009] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Olazábal DE, Young LJ. Species and individual differences in juvenile female alloparental care are associated with oxytocin receptor density in the striatum and the lateral septum. Horm Behav 2006; 49:681-7. [PMID: 16442534 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2005.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 145] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2005] [Revised: 12/08/2005] [Accepted: 12/08/2005] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The neuropeptide oxytocin has been implicated in the regulation of affiliative behavior and maternal responsiveness in several mammalian species. Rodent species vary considerably in the expression of juvenile alloparental behavior. For example, alloparental behavior is spontaneous in juvenile female prairie voles (approximately 20 days of age), takes 1-3 days of pup exposure to develop in juvenile rats, and is nearly absent in juvenile mice and meadow voles. Here, we tested the hypothesis that species differences in pup responsiveness in juvenile rodents are associated with oxytocin receptor (OTR) density in specific brain regions. We found that OTR density in the nucleus accumbens (NA) is highest in juvenile prairie voles, intermediate in juvenile rats, and lowest in juvenile mice and meadow voles. In the caudate putamen (CP), OTR binding was highest in prairie voles, intermediate in rats and meadow voles, and lowest in mice. In contrast, the lateral septum (LS) shows an opposite pattern, with OTR binding being high in mice and meadow voles and low in prairie voles and rats. Thus, alloparental responsiveness in juvenile rodents is positively correlated with OTR density in the NA and CP and negatively correlated with OTR density in the LS. We then investigated whether a similar receptor-behavior relationship exists among juvenile female prairie voles by correlating individual variation in alloparental behavior with variation in OTR density. The time spent adopting crouching postures, the most distinctive component of alloparental behavior in juveniles, was positively correlated with OTR density in the NA (r = 0.47) and CP (r = 0.45) and negatively correlated with OTR density in the lateral septum (r = -0.53). Thus, variation in OTR density in the NA, CP, and LS may underlie both species and individual differences in alloparental care in rodents.
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Affiliation(s)
- D E Olazábal
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, and Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
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Pedersen CA, Boccia ML. Oxytocin antagonism alters rat dams' oral grooming and upright posturing over pups. Physiol Behav 2004; 80:233-41. [PMID: 14637221 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2003.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Studies involving intracerebral administration of antiserum or antagonists have demonstrated that central oxytocin (OT) plays a prominent role in initiating but not maintaining postpartum maternal behavior in rats. There has been little investigation, however, of OT's influence on the levels of maternal behavior exhibited during the maintenance phase. We measured rat dam behavior during the 105-min observation periods preceding and beginning 2 h after intracerebroventricular infusion of the selective OT antagonist (OTA) (1 microg), or normal saline (NS) vehicle (5 microl) on postpartum days 2-3 and 6-7. Compared to NS, OTA significantly decreased pup licking as a proportion of dams' total oral grooming, increased self-grooming, decreased the frequency of elevated upright posture over pups and increased the frequency of lying prone on pups. Quiescent, kyphotic nursing was also significantly lower in OTA-treated dams. Other components of maternal behavior were not significantly affected by OTA or NS treatment. These findings suggest that central OT may shift the focus of the dams' oral grooming from self to pups and may also facilitate elevation of dams' upright posture over pups. Acute stress responses, maternal behavior and central OT receptor binding in adult rats have been linked to the amount of maternal licking and arched back, upright nursing received during infancy. OT activity in dams' brains may influence these developmental outcomes in their offspring by selectively regulating their pup licking and crouching posture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cort A Pedersen
- Department of Psychiatry CB #7160, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7160, USA.
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Kavushansky A, Leshem M. Role of oxytocin and vasopressin in the transitions of weaning in the rat. Dev Psychobiol 2004; 45:231-8. [PMID: 15549682 DOI: 10.1002/dev.20031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Sucklings (18-day-old) and weanlings (35-day-old) were injected icv with oxytocin or its antagonist (both 0.5 microg/1 microl), or vasopressin (1.0 ng/1 microl) or its antagonist (100 ng/1 microl), prior to 4-min observation in a behavioral maze with a sibling in one box and their anesthetized dam in the other. Oxytocin abolished nipple attachment in sucklings, decreased time spent with the dam, and increased self-grooming. The oxytocin antagonist had little influence on behavior. Vasopressin increased self-grooming while its antagonist reduced passive contact with the dam, increased active contact with her, and increased exploration and activity. We conclude that these neuropeptides have diverse roles during weaning, maintaining sucklings' behavior or promoting weaning, and subserving the transition from attachment to the dam to independence from her. We propose that these neurochemicals, and others, mediate the neural, affiliative, and affective changes of weaning, and that the term "weaning" should be understood to encompass these behavioral transitions.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Kavushansky
- Department of Psychology, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel 31905
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Abstract
The reproductive strategy of many mammalian species that give birth to altricial young involves intense and prolonged care of their offspring. In most cases, the mother provides all nurturance, but in some cases fathers, older siblings, or unrelated conspecifics participate in parental care. The display of these behaviors by animals other than mothers is affected by numerous factors, including their sex. We herein review the literature on similarities and/or differences between male and female laboratory rodents (rats, mice, voles, gerbils, and hamsters) in their parental responsiveness and discuss how the parental behavior of males and females is influenced by hormones, developmental processes, and prior social experiences. Understanding the mechanisms that generate sex differences in the parental responsiveness of rodents may indicate how similar sex differences in parental care are generated in other mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- J S Lonstein
- Center for Neuroendocrine Studies, Tobin Hall, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA.
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Oxley G, Fleming AS. The effects of medial preoptic area and amygdala lesions on maternal behavior in the juvenile rat. Dev Psychobiol 2000. [DOI: 10.1002/1098-2302(2000)37:4<253::aid-dev6>3.0.co;2-q] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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Mann PE. Measurement of Maternal Behavior. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 1993. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-185277-1.50027-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
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Pedersen CA, Caldwell JD, Peterson G, Walker CH, Mason GA. Oxytocin activation of maternal behavior in the rat. Ann N Y Acad Sci 1992; 652:58-69. [PMID: 1626858 DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.1992.tb34346.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- C A Pedersen
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill 27599-7250
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