Positive social behaviours are induced and retained after oxytocin manipulations mimicking endogenous concentrations in a wild mammal

Robinson, Kelly J.; Twiss, Sean D.; Hazon, Neil; Moss, Simon; Pomeroy, Patrick P.

Abstract

The neuropeptide hormone oxytocin modulates numerous social and parental behaviours across a wide range of species, including humans. We conducted manipulation experiments on wild grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) to determine whether oxytocin increases proximity-seeking behaviour, which has previously been correlated with endogenous oxytocin concentrations in wild seal populations. Pairs of seals that had never met previously were given intravenous injections of 0.41 µg kg−1 oxytocin or saline and were observed for 1 h post-manipulation. The dose was designed to mimic endogenous oxytocin concentrations during the observation period, and is one of the lowest doses used to manipulate behaviour to date. Seals given oxytocin spent significantly more time in close proximity to each other, confirming that oxytocin causes conspecifics to seek others out and remain close to one another. Aggressive and investigative behaviours also significantly fell after oxytocin manipulations. Despite using a minimal oxytocin dose, pro-social behavioural changes unexpectedly persisted for 2 days despite rapid dose clearance from circulation post-injection. This study verifies that oxytocin promotes individuals staying together, demonstrating how the hormone can form positive feedback loops of oxytocin release following conspecific stimuli, increased motivation to remain in close proximity and additional oxytocin release from stimuli received while in close proximity.

Citation

Robinson, K. J., Twiss, S. D., Hazon, N., Moss, S., & Pomeroy, P. P. (2017). Positive social behaviours are induced and retained after oxytocin manipulations mimicking endogenous concentrations in a wild mammal. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 284(1855), Article 20170554. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2017.0554

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Apr 26, 2017
• Online Publication Date: May 24, 2017
• Publication Date: May 24, 2017
• Deposit Date: Jun 19, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 14, 2017
• Journal: Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences
• Print ISSN: 0962-8452
• Electronic ISSN: 1471-2954
• Publisher: The Royal Society
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 284
• Issue: 1855
• Article Number: 20170554
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2017.0554
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1384812