LONG TERM EFFECTS OF CHRONIC INTRANASAL OXYTOCIN ON MALE MATE-GUARDING, PARTNER PREFERENCE AND SEPARATION RESPONSE |
R. A. Del Razo1,2, M. Floch3 and K. L. Bales1,2
1University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA, 2California National Primate Research Center, 3Agrocampus Ouest, Rennes, France |
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| In the last decade, efforts have focused on determining the effects of intranasal oxytocin (IN-OT) and its potential as a treatment for disorders involving social dysfunction. However, not much is known about the chronic and long-term effects. Titi monkeys (Callicebus cupreus) form pair bonds, characterized by partner preference, mate guarding and distress upon separation. For this study, juvenile titi monkeys received a daily dose of IN-OT (0.8 IU/kg or saline) from 12 to 18 months of age and were paired with an unfamiliar animal at 30 months of age. At 1 week and 4 months, post-pairing subjects were tested in a partner preference test and mirror test and at 5 months post-pairing on a separation test. Titi monkeys do not recognize themselves in the mirror and respond to their reflection with mate guarding behaviors. The non-reflective back side of the mirror served as control. Results showed that OT males at 1 week spent more time in contact with their partner when presented with the reflective side compared to the back side of the mirror (p = 0.03). Preliminary results showed that OT males also spent more time in proximity to their partner at 1 week (p=0.03) and 4 months during a preference test (p= .01), males’ vocalizations did not differ during the separation. Funded by HD071998, P51 OD011107, and the Good Nature Institute. |
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