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Sex, social status, and CRF receptor densities in naked mole‐rats
Author(s) -
Beery Annaliese K.,
Bicks Lucy,
Mooney Skyler J.,
Goodwin Nastacia L.,
Holmes Melissa M.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
journal of comparative neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.855
H-Index - 209
eISSN - 1096-9861
pISSN - 0021-9967
DOI - 10.1002/cne.23834
Subject(s) - biology , amygdala , endocrinology , receptor , medicine , piriform cortex , neuroscience , genetics
Naked mole‐rats ( Heterocephalus glaber ) live in groups that are notable for their large size and caste structure, with breeding monopolized by a single female and a small number of males. Recent studies have demonstrated substantial differences between the brains of breeders and subordinates induced by changes in social standing. Corticotropin‐releasing factor (CRF) receptors—which bind the hormone CRF as well as related peptides—are important regulators of stress and anxiety, and are emerging as factors affecting social behavior. We conducted autoradiographic analyses of CRF 1 and CRF 2 receptor binding densities in female and male naked mole‐rats varying in breeding status. Both globally and in specific brain regions, CRF 1 receptor densities varied with breeding status. CRF 1 receptor densities were higher in subordinates across brain regions, and particularly in the piriform cortex and cortical amygdala. Sex differences were present in CRF 2 receptor binding densities, as is the case in multiple vole species. CRF 2 receptor densities were higher in females, both globally and in the cortical amygdala and lateral amygdalar nucleus. These results provide novel insights into the neurobiology of social hierarchy in naked mole‐rats, and add to a growing body of work that links changes in the CRF system with social behavior. J. Comp. Neurol. 524:228–243, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.