Maternal behavior is the most important pro-social female behavior. Its establishment requires remarkable brain adaptations peripartum like increased activity of the brain oxytocin system. Recently, we characterized the brain vasopressin system as further important mediator of the fine-tuned regulation of maternal care (Bosch and Neumann, 2012) and maternal aggression (Bosch, 2013) in rodents. While vasopressin and oxytocin act pro-maternal, these neuropeptides have opposite effects on anxiety (Bosch, 2011). To increase our understanding of how maternal behavior and, consequently, the relationship between mother and infant is regulated provides important insights into possible dys-regulation of maternal attachment as seen, for example, in postpartum mood disorders.
Physiology 2014 (London, UK) (2014) Proc Physiol Soc 31, SA043
Research Symposium: Mother’s love is driven by brain oxytocin – and vasopressin, too
O. Bosch1
1. University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
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Where applicable, experiments conform with Society ethical requirements.