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Publication
Interaction between vasotocin and gonadal hormones in the regulation of reproductive behavior in a cichlid fish
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Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
Vasotocin (VT) has been associated with the regulation of diferent aspects of social behavior (e.g., mating and aggression).
Given the fact that androgens are also known to regulate reproductive behavior, we hypothesized that VT and androgens
could be interacting, rather than acting independently, in the regulation of reproductive behavior. In the present study, we
aimed to understand the efect of VT and its interaction with gonadal hormones (putatively androgens) on diferent aspects
of reproductive behavior of a polygynous and territorial cichlid fsh, the Mozambique tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus).
Using a within-subject design, we treated territorial males, that were previously castrated or sham-operated, with diferent
dosages of VT as well as with a V1A receptor antagonist (Manning compound) and subsequently analyzed their behavior
towards females and towards an intruder male. Our results showed that VT afected the behavior of territorial males towards
females but not towards males. Specifcally, VT-treated males interacted less with females (i.e., spent less time touching
the transparent partition that allowed visual contact with females) and were less aggressive towards females than salinetreated males. Moreover, in sham-operated males, blocking V1A receptors increased the frequency of bites towards females
in comparison to saline-treated males, but not in castrated males. This result suggests that VT down-regulates aggressiveness towards females through the action of V1A receptors in the gonads (putatively decreasing androgen secretion), and
that androgens up-regulate this behavior. In summary, our results suggest that VT may modulate social behavior, through
an interaction with gonadal hormones.
Description
Keywords
Reproductive behavior Aggressive behavior Vasotocin Manning compound Mozambique tilapia
Citation
Almeida, O., Félix, A. S., & Oliveira, R. F. (2022). Interaction between vasotocin and gonadal hormones in the regulation of reproductive behavior in a cichlid fish. Acta Ethologica. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10211-022-00404-2
Publisher
Springer