Abstract
Genetic variations in the oxytocinergic system, known to regulate social behavior throughout the evolution of mammals, are believed to account for differences in mammalian social behavior. Particularly, polymorphic variants of the oxytocin receptor (OXTR) gene have been associated with behavioral variations in both humans and dogs. In this study, we offered evidence of the correlation between levels of salivary oxytocin (sOXT), maternal behavior and a single-nucleotide gene variant in OXTR (rs8679684) in nineteen lactating Labrador Retriever dogs. Carriers of at least one copy of the minor A allele showed higher levels of sOXT and maternal care in comparison with the homozygous T allele carriers. Considering the relevance of mother care in newborn development, these findings could help us to better understand the possible impact of variants in the OXTR gene in selecting dams.
Highlights
Oxytocin (OXT) is a nonapeptide hormone and neuromodulator, primarily produced in the hypothalamus from which it is secreted into both the bloodstream and the brain [1].On the one hand, the OXT hormone stimulates uterine contractions during parturition and promotes milk ejection during lactation [2]
The oxytocinergic system has become widely investigated in normal and abnormal human social behavior, such as autism spectrum disorders [7], and there a growing body of literature focusing on oxytocin and its functions has emerged in the last decade [8]
There are several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) annotated in the oxytocin receptor (OXTR) gene [39], and none were found to be related to the phenotypic effect such as modified gene expression
Summary
Oxytocin (OXT) is a nonapeptide hormone and neuromodulator, primarily produced in the hypothalamus from which it is secreted into both the bloodstream and the brain [1].On the one hand, the OXT hormone stimulates uterine contractions during parturition and promotes milk ejection during lactation [2]. OXT is a relevant neuromodulator of social behaviors [3]. The bony fish homolog of mammalian OXT, maintains the same functions of OXT in modulating both reproductive and social behavior in osteichthyes such as zebrafish, a widely used animal model [6]. Thanks to this peculiarity, the oxytocinergic system has become widely investigated in normal and abnormal human social behavior, such as autism spectrum disorders [7], and there a growing body of literature focusing on oxytocin and its functions has emerged in the last decade [8]
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