Gene Targeting Approaches to Neuroendocrinology: Oxytocin, Maternal Behavior, and Affiliation

Transgenic technology affords exciting new opportunities in the field of behavioral neuroendocrinology. We have extended our research into the behavioral function of oxytocin in maternal and social behavior using two transgenic approaches: (i) targeted deletion of the oxytocin gene in mice and (ii) augmented oxytocin receptor expression in the brain. Mice genetically deficient in oxytocin can mate, give birth, and display normal maternal behavior; however, milk ejection and certain aspects of social behavior are affected. Comparative studies of oxytocin receptors have led to the observation that species differences in social organization are associated with differences in receptor distribution. Specifically, monogamous prairie voles and nonmonogamous, asocial montane voles exhibit different patterns of OT receptor expression in the brain. Transgenic mice have been created with a reporter gene driven by the prairie vole oxytocin receptor gene promoter. Analysis of the expression pattern suggests that it should be possible to manipulate receptor expression in the vole brain in order to examine the effects of receptor distribution on behavior.