 |
|
Scientists find a common link of bird flocks, breast milk and trust
August 14, 2009BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- What do flocks of birds have in common with trust, monogamy, and even breast milk? According to a new report in the journal Science, they are regulated by virtually identical neurochemicals in the brain, known as oxytocin in mammals and mesotocin in birds.
Neurobiologists at Indiana University showed that if the actions of mesotocin are blocked in the brains of zebra finches, a highly social songbird, the birds shift their social preferences. They spend significantly less time with familiar individuals and more time with unfamiliar individuals. The birds also become less social, preferring to spend less time with a large group of same-sex birds and more time with a smaller group. Conversely, if birds are administered mesotocin instead of the blocker, the finches become more social and prefer familiar partners.
Perhaps most striking is the fact that none of the treatments affect males -- only females.
According to James Goodson, lead author on the study, the sex differences in birds provide important clues to the evolutionary history of oxytocin functions in humans and other mammals. "Oxytocin is an evolutionarily descendant of mesotocin and has long been associated with female reproductive functions -- things such as pair bonding with males, giving birth, providing maternal care and ejecting milk for infants," said Goodson.
Goodson and colleagues have found hints of similar processes in fish, and he speculates that oxytocin-like neuropeptides have played special roles in female affiliation ever since the peptides first evolved. That was sometime around 450 million years ago, about the same time that jaws evolved.
"The ancient properties of this system appear to be retained in all major vertebrate groups, and date back to our common ancestor with sharks," says co-author Marcy Kingsbury, associate scientist at IU Bloomington.
But if all vertebrates possess similar neuropeptide circuits, why don't they all live in big groups -- flocks, schools or herds? A possible answer to that question is provided in the second part of the Science study. The authors speculated that the behavioral actions of mesotocin may differ across species depending upon the distribution of "receptors" for the chemical in the brain -- that is, places where mesotocin can attach to brain cells and alter their activity.
Using a radioactive compound that attaches to oxytocin-like receptors, the authors mapped the distribution of receptors in three finch species that form flocks and two species that are territorial and highly aggressive. What they found was that the flocking species had many more receptors in a part of the brain known as the lateral septum. And when they blocked those receptors in female zebra finches, the birds became less social.
According to Goodson, these findings suggest that it is actually the concentration and location of receptors that determines whether an individual prefers spending time in large groups. Natural selection could act to increase the number of receptors expressed by certain lateral septum neurons, or by altering the regions where receptor genes are expressed, depending on whether female sociality is favored or not among the individuals of a species.
If Goodson's discovery holds true for other birds and even mammals, the concentration of receptors for mesotocin (and oxytocin) in the lateral septum could accurately predict whether an individual is naturally gregarious.
"The lateral septum is structurally very similar in reptiles, birds and mammals," Goodson said. "To our knowledge, it plays an important role in the social and reproductive behaviors of all land vertebrates."
What might be next for Goodson's research group?
"We still don't understand why mesotocin and oxytocin are so potent in females, but not always in males," Goodson said. "And we also don't fully understand how the lateral septum functions to influence sociality." But he is convinced that his group's ongoing studies of songbirds will soon provide the answers.
Indiana University
According to James Goodson, lead author on the study, the sex differences in birds provide important clues to the evolutionary history of oxytocin functions in humans and other mammals. "Oxytocin is an evolutionarily descendant of mesotocin and has long been associated with female reproductive functions -- things such as pair bonding with males, giving birth, providing maternal care and ejecting milk for infants," said Goodson.
Goodson and colleagues have found hints of similar processes in fish, and he speculates that oxytocin-like neuropeptides have played special roles in female affiliation ever since the peptides first evolved. That was sometime around 450 million years ago, about the same time that jaws evolved.
"The ancient properties of this system appear to be retained in all major vertebrate groups, and date back to our common ancestor with sharks," says co-author Marcy Kingsbury, associate scientist at IU Bloomington.
But if all vertebrates possess similar neuropeptide circuits, why don't they all live in big groups -- flocks, schools or herds? A possible answer to that question is provided in the second part of the Science study. The authors speculated that the behavioral actions of mesotocin may differ across species depending upon the distribution of "receptors" for the chemical in the brain -- that is, places where mesotocin can attach to brain cells and alter their activity.
Using a radioactive compound that attaches to oxytocin-like receptors, the authors mapped the distribution of receptors in three finch species that form flocks and two species that are territorial and highly aggressive. What they found was that the flocking species had many more receptors in a part of the brain known as the lateral septum. And when they blocked those receptors in female zebra finches, the birds became less social.
According to Goodson, these findings suggest that it is actually the concentration and location of receptors that determines whether an individual prefers spending time in large groups. Natural selection could act to increase the number of receptors expressed by certain lateral septum neurons, or by altering the regions where receptor genes are expressed, depending on whether female sociality is favored or not among the individuals of a species.
If Goodson's discovery holds true for other birds and even mammals, the concentration of receptors for mesotocin (and oxytocin) in the lateral septum could accurately predict whether an individual is naturally gregarious.
"The lateral septum is structurally very similar in reptiles, birds and mammals," Goodson said. "To our knowledge, it plays an important role in the social and reproductive behaviors of all land vertebrates."
What might be next for Goodson's research group?
"We still don't understand why mesotocin and oxytocin are so potent in females, but not always in males," Goodson said. "And we also don't fully understand how the lateral septum functions to influence sociality." But he is convinced that his group's ongoing studies of songbirds will soon provide the answers.
Indiana University
Oxytocin Current Events and Oxytocin News RSSThe narrow line between love and jealousy
A new study carried out at the University of Haifa has found that the hormone oxytocin, the "love hormone", which affects behaviors such as trust, empathy and generosity, also affects opposite behaviors, such as jealousy and gloating.
Yerkes researchers show early life nurturing impacts later life relationships
Researchers at the Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, have demonstrated that prairie voles may be a useful model in understanding the neurochemistry of social behavior.
New genetic study of Asperger syndrome, autistic traits and empathy
Scientists from the University of Cambridge have identified 27 genes that are associated with either Asperger Syndrome (AS) and/or autistic traits and/or empathy.
Laboring without the labor bed: It's a good thing
A University of Toronto pilot study that re-conceptualized the hospital labour room by removing the standard, clinical bed and adding relaxation-promoting equipment had a 28 per cent drop in infusions of artificial oxytocin, a powerful drug used to advance slow labours.
Why dishing does you good: U-M study
Why does dishing with a girlfriend do wonders for a woman's mood?
Enriched environment improves wound healing in rats
Improving the environment in which rats are reared can significantly strengthen the physiological process of wound healing.
Oxytocin: Love potion #1?
Relationships are difficult and most of us probably think at some point that communicating positively with our partner when discussing stressful issues, like home finances, is an impossible task.
Ecstasy could help patients with post-traumatic stress disorder
Ecstasy may help suffers of post-traumatic stress learn to deal with their memories more effectively by encouraging a feeling of safety, according to an article in the Journal of Psychopharmacology published today by SAGE.
Protein that regulates hormones critical to women's health found in pituitary
University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers have solved the mystery surrounding a "rogue protein" that plays a role in the release of neurotransmitters and hormones in the brain.
Hormone important in recognizing familiar faces
Oxytocin, a hormone involved in child-birth and breast-feeding, helps people recognize familiar faces, according to new research in the January 7 issue of The Journal of Neuroscience.
More Oxytocin Current Events and Oxytocin News Articles
 |
Liquid Trust by Vero Labs Scientists have recently discovered a chemical that makes people trust each other. Liquid Trust is the world's first Trust Enhancing Body Spray, specially formulated to increase trust in the wearer. |
 |
Realm By Erox For Men. Cologne Spray 3.4 Ounces by Erox Introduced in 1993. Fragrance notes: mandarin, orange, berry, ginger and watery notes. Recommended use: casual. |
 |
The Oxytocin Factor: Tapping the Hormone of Calm, Love, and Healing by Kerstin Uvnas Moberg (Author), Kerstin Uvnäs-Moberg (Author), Translated by Roberta Francis (Author), Roberta Francis (Translator) From the world's leading authority on oxytocin, a ground-breaking look at "the love hormone" and its role in everything from childbirth and bonding to human relationships. In recent years there have been exciting scientific discoveries about a powerful hormone whose role in the human body has long been neglected. Oxytocin is the hormone involved in bonding, sex, childbirth, and breast-feeding, as well as in relaxation and feelings of calm. It is the mirror image of the stress hormone (adrenaline), which triggers the "fight or flight" systems in the body. Much has been written about the latter but the many-sided importance of oxytocin is currently known only to specialists in obstetrics, physiology, and psychiatry. The Oxytocin Factor, by Dr. Kerstin Uvnäs-Moberg, is the first book... |
 |
New Pheromone Additive for Men by LaCroy Chemical New Pheromone Additive is our number one selling additive-type product. It is perfect if you already have your own favorite colgone and want to spike it with a potent pheromone formula. |
 |
The Chemistry of Connection: How the Oxytocin Response Can Help You Find Trust, Intimacy, and Love by Susan Kuchinskas (Author) When you make love, cuddle with a partner, or have coffee with close friends, a powerful brain chemical called oxytocin floods your body with feelings of contentment and trust. This natural "love drug," produced by the hypothalamus, is responsible for human bonding in both platonic and intimate relationships, and is the key to many of the psychological differences between men and women. In The Chemistry of Connection, you'll learn easy ways to increase your natural supply of oxytocin to establish deeper connections with family, friends, and romantic partners. You'll discover: The power of the "cuddle hormone" in relationships How sex and love are deeply entwined for both women and men The chemical differences between lust, romance, and love How to raise children who trust and... |
 |
Scent of Eros for Men by JV Kohl Scent of Eros was created by well-known pheromone researcher James V. Kohl, author of the definitive book on pheromones by the same name. Scent of Eros is 100% guaranteed to change your social life or your money back. |
 |
Oxytocin by Snowglobe Snowglobe is the third band this year from Memphis, TN that I have begun listening to (see: Lucero, Harlan T. Bobo). Prior to that, I think Big Star and Elvis were the most recent Memphis exports filling my iPod. Unlike the other two, Snowglobe don't work any kind of inherently Southern, rootsy angle, but opt for a breezier pop sound undercut with darker lyrics. Here is some official details: "Snowglobe is something of an event or occurance, an ever evolving and shifting phenomenon scattered about the southeastern United States, but you can call it a band. It's easier that way. They have been compared to a wide breadth of artists, including the Band, the Kinks, the Flaming Lips, Leonard Cohen, Neutral Milk Hotel, and Pet Sounds-era Beach Boys. Snowglobe has undeniably been influenced by... |
 |
Oxytocin Snowglobe (Primary Contributor) |
 |
Primal Instinct UNSCENTED for women by Primal Instinct |
 |
Handbook of Oxytocin Research: Synthesis, Storage and Release, Actions and Drug Forms by Hugo Jastrow (Editor), Daniela Feuerbach (Editor) Oxytocin is a mammalian hormone that also acts as a neurotransmitter in the brain. Oxytocin is a peptide of nine amino acids (a nonapeptide). It is best known for its roles in female reproduction: it is released in large amounts after distension of the cervix and vagina during labour, and induction of milk ejection in facilitating birth and breastfeeding. Recent studies have begun to investigate oxytocin's role in various behaviours, including social recognition, bonding, anxiety, trust, and maternal behaviours. This book gathers the latest research from around the globe in this field. |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |