{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: 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.
{Author}: Fricker BA;Jiang J;Esquilin-Rodriguez CJ;Dowling ML;Kelly AM;
{Journal}: Behav Brain Res
{Volume}: 473
{Issue}: 0
{Year}: 2024 09 13
{Factor}: 3.352
{DOI}: 10.1016/j.bbr.2024.115181
{Abstract}: 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.