The Effect of Vasopressin Antagonists on Maternal-Separation-Induced Ultrasonic Vocalization and Stress-Hormone Level Increase during the Early Postnatal Period
In adults, vasopressin exerts an anxiogenic effect, but less is known about the perinatal period. As a sign of distress, rat pups emit ultrasonic vocalizations when they are separated from their mothers, known as maternal separation-induced ultrasonic vocalization (MS-USV). Previously, reduced MS-US...
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MDPI AG
2021-03-01
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| Series: | Brain Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/11/4/444 |
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| author | Bibiána Török Anna Fodor Sándor Zsebők Eszter Sipos Dóra Zelena |
| author_facet | Bibiána Török Anna Fodor Sándor Zsebők Eszter Sipos Dóra Zelena |
| author_sort | Bibiána Török |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In adults, vasopressin exerts an anxiogenic effect, but less is known about the perinatal period. As a sign of distress, rat pups emit ultrasonic vocalizations when they are separated from their mothers, known as maternal separation-induced ultrasonic vocalization (MS-USV). Previously, reduced MS-USV was reported in 7–8-day-old genetically vasopressin-deficient Brattleboro rats. Here, we aimed to examine the contributing vasopressin receptor (VR) subtypes using Wistar pups. MS-USV was recorded for 10 min, 30 min after vasopressin (V) 1aR, V1bR or V2R antagonist treatment (SR49059, SSR149415, SR121463B; 3, 10 and 30 mg/kg, intraperitoneal). Sedation was studied by the righting reflex and negative geotaxis, and finally, the stress hormone levels were measured by radioimmunoassay. The vasopressin-deficient pups showed decreased MS-USV and adrenocorticotropin levels even after a saline injection, with unchanged corticosterone levels. Thirty mg/kg of V1aR-antagonist increased the corticosterone levels. All V1bR antagonist doses decreased the MS-USV and adrenocorticotropin, while 10 + 10 mg/kg of V1aR and V1bR antagonists decreased MS-USV without influencing the stress hormones. Three mg/kg of V2R antagonist enhanced MS-USV, while 30 mg/kg increased the stress hormone levels. We confirmed that vasopressin deficiency already caused anxiolytic effects in pups. V1bRs are the most important player in connection with their adrenocorticotropin (ACTH)-regulatory role, but a combination of V1aR and V1bR antagonists might be also beneficial through other mechanisms, reducing the possibility of side effects. In contrast, antagonizing the V2Rs may be stressful due to an induction of imbalance in saltwater homeostasis. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T12:46:28Z |
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| issn | 2076-3425 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T12:46:28Z |
| publishDate | 2021-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Brain Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-657be086770e4afea7088c1db90f91282023-11-21T13:28:46ZengMDPI AGBrain Sciences2076-34252021-03-0111444410.3390/brainsci11040444The Effect of Vasopressin Antagonists on Maternal-Separation-Induced Ultrasonic Vocalization and Stress-Hormone Level Increase during the Early Postnatal PeriodBibiána Török0Anna Fodor1Sándor Zsebők2Eszter Sipos3Dóra Zelena4Institute of Experimental Medicine, 1085 Budapest, HungaryInstitute of Experimental Medicine, 1085 Budapest, HungaryCentre for Ecological Research, Institute of Ecology and Botany, 2163 Vácrátót, HungaryInstitute of Experimental Medicine, 1085 Budapest, HungaryInstitute of Experimental Medicine, 1085 Budapest, HungaryIn adults, vasopressin exerts an anxiogenic effect, but less is known about the perinatal period. As a sign of distress, rat pups emit ultrasonic vocalizations when they are separated from their mothers, known as maternal separation-induced ultrasonic vocalization (MS-USV). Previously, reduced MS-USV was reported in 7–8-day-old genetically vasopressin-deficient Brattleboro rats. Here, we aimed to examine the contributing vasopressin receptor (VR) subtypes using Wistar pups. MS-USV was recorded for 10 min, 30 min after vasopressin (V) 1aR, V1bR or V2R antagonist treatment (SR49059, SSR149415, SR121463B; 3, 10 and 30 mg/kg, intraperitoneal). Sedation was studied by the righting reflex and negative geotaxis, and finally, the stress hormone levels were measured by radioimmunoassay. The vasopressin-deficient pups showed decreased MS-USV and adrenocorticotropin levels even after a saline injection, with unchanged corticosterone levels. Thirty mg/kg of V1aR-antagonist increased the corticosterone levels. All V1bR antagonist doses decreased the MS-USV and adrenocorticotropin, while 10 + 10 mg/kg of V1aR and V1bR antagonists decreased MS-USV without influencing the stress hormones. Three mg/kg of V2R antagonist enhanced MS-USV, while 30 mg/kg increased the stress hormone levels. We confirmed that vasopressin deficiency already caused anxiolytic effects in pups. V1bRs are the most important player in connection with their adrenocorticotropin (ACTH)-regulatory role, but a combination of V1aR and V1bR antagonists might be also beneficial through other mechanisms, reducing the possibility of side effects. In contrast, antagonizing the V2Rs may be stressful due to an induction of imbalance in saltwater homeostasis.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/11/4/444USVmaternal separationpupanxietyvasopressin antagonistsrighting reflex |
| spellingShingle | Bibiána Török Anna Fodor Sándor Zsebők Eszter Sipos Dóra Zelena The Effect of Vasopressin Antagonists on Maternal-Separation-Induced Ultrasonic Vocalization and Stress-Hormone Level Increase during the Early Postnatal Period Brain Sciences USV maternal separation pup anxiety vasopressin antagonists righting reflex |
| title | The Effect of Vasopressin Antagonists on Maternal-Separation-Induced Ultrasonic Vocalization and Stress-Hormone Level Increase during the Early Postnatal Period |
| title_full | The Effect of Vasopressin Antagonists on Maternal-Separation-Induced Ultrasonic Vocalization and Stress-Hormone Level Increase during the Early Postnatal Period |
| title_fullStr | The Effect of Vasopressin Antagonists on Maternal-Separation-Induced Ultrasonic Vocalization and Stress-Hormone Level Increase during the Early Postnatal Period |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Effect of Vasopressin Antagonists on Maternal-Separation-Induced Ultrasonic Vocalization and Stress-Hormone Level Increase during the Early Postnatal Period |
| title_short | The Effect of Vasopressin Antagonists on Maternal-Separation-Induced Ultrasonic Vocalization and Stress-Hormone Level Increase during the Early Postnatal Period |
| title_sort | effect of vasopressin antagonists on maternal separation induced ultrasonic vocalization and stress hormone level increase during the early postnatal period |
| topic | USV maternal separation pup anxiety vasopressin antagonists righting reflex |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/11/4/444 |
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