Psychiatry related information on Paternal Behavior

• Copulation seems to function as a "primer," but cues, most likely of an olfactory nature, emitted by pregnant mate induce paternal behavior in the stud male [1].
• Maternal behavior, paternal behavior, and pup survival in CD-1 albino mice (Mus musculus) in three different housing conditions [2].

High impact information on Paternal Behavior

• Elevated 11-ketotestosterone during paternal behavior in the Bluebanded goby (Lythrypnus dalli) [3].
• In spite of an extensive literature supporting an association between prolactin and natural paternal behavior, we conclude that dopamine-mediated prolactin release into peripheral plasma is not essential for paternal responsiveness in P. campbelli [4].
• Castration reduces male testosterone, estradiol, and territorial aggression, but not paternal behavior in biparental dwarf hamsters (Phodopus campbelli) [5].
• Either hormonal facilitation of paternal behavior is a hyper-variable trait that has evolved differently in different species, or, more probably, peripheral hormone concentrations are inadequate to explain the role of sex steroid hormones in paternal behavior [6].
• Androgen hormones have been shown to facilitate competitive ability in courtship and territorial behavior, while suppressing paternal behavior [7].

Chemical compound and disease context of Paternal Behavior

• We hypothesize that T is aromatized in the brain to estradiol, which in turn stimulates paternal behavior [8].
• Testosterone (T) mediates a trade-off, or negative correlation, between paternal behavior and aggression in several seasonally breeding avian species [8].
• Vasopressin and the transmission of paternal behavior across generations in mated, cross-fostered Peromyscus mice [9].
• As the hormone that might be influenced by chemical signals, that already played a similar role in men and women, and that had been empirically linked to paternal behavior, cortisol concentration was also compared with sex steroid concentrations [10].
• Variation in aromatase activity in the medial preoptic area and plasma progesterone is associated with the onset of paternal behavior [11].

Biological context of Paternal Behavior

• Results of study 1 were consistent with a relationship between higher prolactin, lower testosterone and paternal behavior during early lactation in P. campbelli and provided no evidence for similar hormonal changes in P. sungorus [12].

Gene context of Paternal Behavior

• To test this hypothesis we implanted male dark-eyed juncos (Junco hyemalis) with testosterone-filled or empty implants and measured T and PRL levels, paternal behavior, and specific binding of radio-labeled PRL at selected brain regions that have been implicated in the mediation of parental behaviors [13].
• Overall, we found that aromatase activity and P(4) levels change in association with an important life history transition, and may provide a mechanistic basis for plasticity in paternal behavior [11].
• These data suggest, contrary to other reports, that prolactin is a likely correlate of paternal behavior in rodents [14].
• The authors discuss AVP as a possible mechanism by which early experience shapes adult paternal behavior [9].

References