%0 Journal Article
%T Hypothalamic vasopressin neural densities are higher in male Mongolian gerbils after separation from a pair bond partner and may facilitate behavior to form a new bond.
%A Fricker BA
%A Jiang J
%A Esquilin-Rodriguez CJ
%A Dowling ML
%A Kelly AM
%J Behav Brain Res
%V 473
%N 0
%D 2024 09 13
%M 39117148
%F 3.352
%R 10.1016/j.bbr.2024.115181
%X Although pair bonding has been studied for several decades, only somewhat recently have researchers began studying the neural consequences of separation from a pair bond partner. Here we examined the impact of partner separation on the socially monogamous Mongolian gerbil. Using a within-subjects design, we assessed nonsocial, nonreproductive, and reproductive behavior in male gerbils pre- and post- either 4 weeks of cohabitation with or separation from a pair bond partner. We then conducted an immediate early gene study to examine the influence of partner separation on hypothalamic oxytocin and vasopressin neural responses to interactions with a novel, opposite-sex conspecific.