Premium
Vasotocin immunoreactivity in the brain of frog species of the Dendrobatoidea superfamily
Author(s) -
Pulido Maria Antonia,
Akle Veronica,
Amezquita Adolfo
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.2019.33.1_supplement.448.6
Subject(s) - vasotocin , biology , zoology , hypothalamus , preoptic area , vasopressin , vertebrate , ventral tegmental area , songbird , agonistic behaviour , foraging , cerebrum , ecology , neuroscience , neuropeptide , endocrinology , central nervous system , dopamine , psychology , gene , genetics , dopaminergic , aggression , developmental psychology , receptor
Arginine vasotocin (AVT), like the mammalian homolog vasopressin, regulates behavioral processes such as agonistic contests, parental care and other aspects of anuran life. In the neotropical poison frogs Allobates femoralis, Allobates trilineatus and Ameerega trivittata of the Dendrobatoidea superfamily, the AVT system may play a role in their complex social and reproductive behaviors. This superfamily is characterized by a strong relationship between conspicuous skin patterns and high toxicity. Also, they display different foraging strategies in their habitat in the Amazonian Basin associated with social behavior. However, the brain nuclei associated with the expression of AVT and the relationship with some of these traits in Dendrobatoid frogs remain to be elucidated. Using Nissl staining and AVT immunohistochemistry, this study explores the AVT expression in the brain of each one of the species, and the relation to their behavioral profile and toxicity. Preliminary results show that an AVT antibody designed to react with the song‐bird blue tit's brain, also reacts with the brain of these tropical frogs. AVT positive neurons and fibers are found in the hypothalamus. Additionally, they are observed along the rostro‐caudal axis of the brain, including POA and BNST nuclei, which are related to social interactions and decision‐making networks. AVT expression might be related to an ecological strategy employed by each one of the species. This study will explain the neuroanatomy of the vasotonergic system and help clarify the relationship between this neuropeptide and aspects of the life history of Dendrobatids. Support or Funding Information Department of Biological Sciences, Universidad de Los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia School of Medicine, Universidad de Los Andes, Bogotá, ColombiaThis abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal .