Gene therapy changes promiscuous male voles into monogamous bedfellows, scientists find. 0000001883 00000 n Please continue to respect all commenters and create constructive debates. 0000004801 00000 n monogamous prairie and pine (Microtus pinetorum) voles, to more polygynous species, such as meadow (Microtus pennsyi- vanicus) and montane (Microtus montanus) voles (33). "If the [vasopressin receptors] are indeed the adjustable nozzle atop a social-glue dispenser in the mammalian brain, these results could have wider significance for understanding social behaviour," wrote psychologist Evan Balaban of Montreal's McGill University. They breed rapidly and experience population booms every few years, which leads population densities to measure in the hundreds of voles per single acre of land. It is intriguing to consider that individual differences in vasopressin receptors in humans might play a role in how different people form relationships.". 0000009300 00000 n Since prairie voles are monogamous and partake in pair-bonding, it makes sense that the fathers were more involved in rearing the pups, compared to meadow voles. 0000001533 00000 n Previous research suggested vasopressin receptors may play a role in disorders of the ability to form social bonds, such as autism. The Monogamy Gene In the study, researchers used a harmless virus to transfer the gene from monogamous male prairie voles, who are known to form lifelong bonds with a … The gene stimulates production of a receptor protein which, in turn, regulates the effect of the hormone. 0000010453 00000 n 0000011585 00000 n 0000011609 00000 n The secret of love: promiscuous voles point to a gene for monogamy, You may not agree with our views, or other users’, but please respond to them respectfully, Swearing, personal abuse, racism, sexism, homophobia and other discriminatory or inciteful language is not acceptable, Do not impersonate other users or reveal private information about third parties, We reserve the right to delete inappropriate posts and ban offending users without notification. They breed quickly and readily in the laboratory and For centuries, the difference between a bed-hopping Casanova and a dull but devoted spouse has been considered a matter of moral choice. And if … This quick reproduction cycle is while a lot of male voles are not monogamous. Box 500 Station A Toronto, ON Canada, M5W 1E6. 0000011543 00000 n Most scientists believe th… Meadow voles frequently mate with multiple partners while prairie voles form lifelong bonds with one mate. It allows our most engaged readers to debate the big issues, share their own experiences, discuss real-world solutions, and more. They have short tails, hidden ears and small round eyes. 0000002006 00000 n 0000005893 00000 n H�c``�c``�f`e`��c`@ f6�(N.M.%��KNx:��p�ҙ�K��*�o�|k��K� ��-9��q?�mGW��ʈ�|�q�KtA�ӹ�i�S"�=��2�X2��$2p4�3�x�4��b3����0H:�:�0'0�p&102�208�] 7���c CC#����� L��x���0\a�a0j�f�Y�v�Y�q�)�T����� 0000001115 00000 n Researchers have found that red-blooded Lotharios and lovers of pipes and slippers could be distinguished by a single gene. You can also choose to be emailed when someone replies to your comment. Voles are bigger than mice, smaller than rats. You can find our Community Guidelines in full here. %PDF-1.2 %���� The scientists, whose research is published today in Nature, believe that the gene's role may extend far beyond romantic behaviour to areas such as drug addiction and even autism, where people have difficulties forming social bonds. 303 0 obj << /Linearized 1 /O 306 /H [ 1115 418 ] /L 1584226 /E 99093 /N 12 /T 1578047 >> endobj xref 303 30 0000000016 00000 n 0000005915 00000 n Due to the sheer scale of this comment community, we are not able to give each post the same level of attention, but we have preserved this area in the interests of open debate. This makes such vole species even faster to reproduce and overpopulate an area. 0000006938 00000 n If you block it, you block the strong bonds between prairie couples. 0000002259 00000 n The experimental meadow voles also spent more time with their pups and less time grooming themselves, the researchers said in Thursday's issue of the journal Nature. 0000008066 00000 n The most insightful comments on all subjects will be published daily in dedicated articles. The vasopressin protein is released in the brain after sex and is involved in pair bonding. Dr Young's colleague, Miranda Lim, said: "The process of bonding with one's partner may be similar to becoming addicted to drugs. 0000002412 00000 n CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices. The study showed how changing the activity of a single gene can change the social behaviour in a simple animal model, said study co-author Larry Young of the department of psychiatry and behavioural sciences at Emory University. 0000001511 00000 n Are you sure you want to mark this comment as inappropriate? Yes. Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile. In the prairie voles, they're concentrated in areas that produce feelings of pleasure and reward. 0000000951 00000 n In some vole species such as the prairie vole or the woodland vole, monogamous behavior has been observed. 0000006915 00000 n 0000003635 00000 n They found the formerly promiscuous rodents spent more time cuddling with their current partners rather than with new females, compared to control animals. 0000008194 00000 n Meadow voles are the most common vole species in the United States. The result was that the meadow voles switched their amorous instincts from nest hopping to steadfast monogamy. But previous studies linked to vasopressin have shown that similar pathways in the brain are also involved in drug addiction, raising the prospect that love may indeed be a drug. Scientists believe the promiscuous meadow voles lack these vasopressin receptors. It is a priority for CBC to create a website that is accessible to all Canadians including people with visual, hearing, motor and cognitive challenges. Start your Independent Premium subscription today. The main difference between the monogamous prairie voles and the love 'em-and-leave 'em Montane voles isn't in how much vasopressin they have, but in the exact location of the cells that respond to vasopressin in the brain. Scientists knew the ventral forebrains of prairie voles had higher levels of vasopressin receptors compared to meadow voles. The monogamous prairie voles have higher levels of it than promiscuous relatives like meadow voles. 0000004778 00000 n Want an ad-free experience?Subscribe to Independent Premium. Promiscuous male meadow voles turned monogamous after a gene was transferred into their brains, scientists say. Larry Young, who led the team, said: "Our study provides evidence, in a comparatively simple animal model, that changes in the activity of a single gene can change a fundamental social behaviour of animals within species. 0000008217 00000 n 0000002389 00000 n In addition, it appears that pups raised by both parents is advantageous to the pups. The role of the "love gene" is linked to a hormone in the brain, called vasopressin, which controls the sense of pleasure. 0000010430 00000 n Audience Relations, CBC P.O.

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