Field tests of cis-regulatory variation at the prairie vole avpr1a locus: association with V1aR abundance but not sexual or social fidelity

Hormones and Behavior
Alexander G OphirSteven M Phelps

Abstract

The neuropeptide vasopressin and its receptor V1aR are broadly implicated in social behavior and play a central role in several key aspects of male mating tactics in voles. In the prairie vole, a microsatellite in the cis-regulatory region of the gene encoding V1aR (avpr1a) provides a potential genetic basis for individual variation in neural phenotype and behavior; recent studies found that allele length predicts V1aR expression and male social attachment in the laboratory. Here, we explore the relationship between avpr1a microsatellite length, V1aR neural phenotype, and field measures of monogamy and fitness in male prairie voles. We found significant effects of allele length on V1aR expression in structures integral to pairbond formation. These effects did not, however, translate to differences in mating tactics or reproductive success. Together, these data suggest that, while length polymorphism in the avpr1a microsatellite influences neuronal phenotype, this variation does not contribute significantly to male reproductive success and field behavior. We propose that previously reported behavioral effects may be mediated primarily by sequence variation at this locus, for which allele length is an imperfect proxy. By combinin...Continue Reading

Citations

Oct 7, 2014·Hormones and Behavior·Annaliese K BeeryDiana M Grunberg
Oct 5, 2010·Current Opinion in Neurobiology·Steven M Phelps
Dec 17, 2009·Trends in Neurosciences·Lisa A McGraw, Larry J Young
Jul 14, 2009·Neuropharmacology·Steven M PhelpsAlexander G Ophir
Jul 8, 2010·Developmental Psychobiology·Daniel E Olazábal
Mar 28, 2012·Journal of Neuroendocrinology·D MurphyN Japundzic-Zigon
Dec 1, 2009·Integrative and Comparative Biology·Suzy C P RennAmeara C W Tanner
Dec 15, 2017·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·Phillip C WattsMikael Mokkonen
Sep 15, 2018·Journal of Evolutionary Biology·Coraline BichetAurélie Cohas
Aug 16, 2019·Current Zoology·Andrey V TchabovskyNina A Vasilieva
Mar 23, 2017·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Eija LonnPhillip C Watts
Oct 28, 2017·Frontiers in Endocrinology·Maria C Tickerhoof, Adam S Smith
Aug 12, 2020·Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology·Sean C Lema
Aug 5, 2021·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·Connor T LambertNancy G Solomon
Mar 8, 2018·ACS Chemical Neuroscience·Julie M Sadino, Zoe R Donaldson
Nov 8, 2008·Science·Zoe R Donaldson, Larry J Young

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