Abstract
The neuropeptide oxytocin (OT) acts on a widespread network of brain regions to regulate numerous behavioral adaptations during the postpartum period including maternal care, maternal aggression, and anxiety. In the present study, we examined whether this network also includes the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). We found that bilateral infusion of a highly specific oxytocin receptor antagonist (OTR-A) into the prelimbic (PL) region of the mPFC increased anxiety-like behavior in postpartum, but not virgin, females. In addition, OTR blockade in the postpartum mPFC impaired maternal care behaviors and enhanced maternal aggression. Overall, these results suggest that OT in the mPFC modulates maternal care and aggression, as well as anxiety-like behavior, during the postpartum period. Although the relationship among these behaviors is complicated and further investigation is required to refine our understanding of OT actions in the maternal mPFC, these data nonetheless provide new insights into neural circuitry of OT-mediated postpartum behaviors.
Highlights
The postpartum period is accompanied by dramatic behavioral changes in all mammalian species
We found that bilateral infusion of a highly specific oxytocin receptor antagonist (OTR-A) into the prelimbic (PL) region of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) increased anxiety-like behavior in postpartum, but not virgin, females
Post hoc analysis revealed that postpartum females infused with the lower 0.1 μg/μl dose of the OTR-A took longer to retrieve their first pup and retrieved fewer pups as compared to saline controls (p’s < 0.05)
Summary
The postpartum period is accompanied by dramatic behavioral changes in all mammalian species. Females that were previously unresponsive or infanticidal towards pups will engage in an elaborate repertoire of caregiving activities after parturition that includes retrieval of displaced pups to the nest, nursing and/or crouching over pups, pup licking and grooming, as well as heightened aggression towards conspecifics (Rosenblatt, 1967; Erskine et al, 1978; Numan and Woodside, 2010) Together these behaviors serve to nurture and protect the young promoting their development and survival. OT enhances smooth muscle contractility for milk ejection while the effects of OT on maternal care, maternal aggression, and postpartum anxiety are mediated by CNS OT. Both the central and peripheral actions of OT are transduced by a single isoform of the oxytocin receptor (OTR; Gimpl and Fahrenholz, 2001). The postpartum-associated reduction in anxiety has been attributed to OT acting within the midbrain
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