Presentation Details
| Sickness Behavior in Prairie Vole Peer Relationships Georgia Young1, Gautam Naik1, 2, Annaliese Beery1, 2. 1UC Berkeley Integrative Biology Department, Berkeley, CA, USA.2UC Berkeley Neuroscience Department, Berkeley, CA, USA |
Abstract
Changes in behavior when sick are described in every species in which they have been studied, from bees to primates. In social species, changes in behavior often effect social behavior. Affiliative social behavior over a lifetime has clear effects on health and longevity: animals with stronger or more numerous social ties show decreased wound healing time, decreased risk of cardiovascular events, and increased lifespan. However, acute mechanisms supporting effects of social behavior on disease are unclear. Here, I characterize effects of acute immune challenge on social seeking and social support in the prairie vole, a non-traditional rodent model that forms dyadic relationships akin to human friendships. First, I describe social seeking behavior in sick individuals and consolation of a sick individual by their healthy partner. Second, I examine roles of central oxytocin release in sickness behavior and impacts of immune challenge on oxytocin receptor density. Finally, I will present data on social housing and cytokine release. These results extend current understanding of sickness behaviors to include dyadic peer relationships, an important foundation of social behavior.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author.
Content Locked. Log into a registered attendee account to access this presentation.