[Abstract Title]. - Society for Neuroscience

We are now using this paradigm to further examine social recognition in four lines of knockout
(KO) mice: vasopressin 1a receptor (Avpr1a), vasopressin 1b receptor (Avpr1b), whole body
oxytocin receptor (Oxtr -/-), and partial forebrain-specific oxytocin receptor (FB/FB). We have
previously shown that both Avpr1b and Oxtr -/- KO males investigate all stimulus females as if
they were less familiar (Wersinger et al., Molecular Psychiatry, 2002; Lee et al., Endocrinology,
2008, respectively), whereas FB/FB males investigate all stimulus females of the same strain as
if they were familiar (Lee et al., Endocrinology, 2008). Studies of Avpr1a KO males are
conflicting, but we have previously found no social recognition deficits (Wersinger et al., Genes,
Brain & Behavior, 2006). Using the new social recognition paradigm developed in our lab, we
have confirmed in both Oxtr lines that wildtype (WT) males can discriminate between familiar
and novel females regardless of strain (C57Bl/6J, BalbC, or Swiss-Webster), whereas KO males
present a more complicated, strain-dependent situation. Furthermore, we are examining the
performance of both Avpr1a and Avpr1b KOs to better understand those receptors' contributions
to social recognition.
Disclosures: A.H. Macbeth, None; J. Stepp, None; H. Lee, None; W.S. Young 3rd, None.
Poster
297. Social Recognition and Partner Preference
Time: Sunday, November 16, 2008, 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Program#/Poster#: 297.6/TT24
Topic: F.03.c. Social behavior
Support: CAPES
FAPESP
CNPQ
Title: Long-term social recognition memory and the main behaviors to be analysed in rats
Authors: *P. J. MOURA, S. T. MEIRELLES, G. F. XAVIER;
Dept. of Physiol., Univ. of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Abstract: In the intruder-resident paradigm (IRP) an intruder rat is exposed to a resident
conspecific for 5 min (1st trial). Then, the resident rat is exposed, for another 5 min, either to the
same or to a novel intruder (2nd trial). When the intertrial interval (ITI) is 30 min, there is a
reduction of the resident´s social behaviors towards the familiar intruder as compared to the
corresponding parameter for the novel intruder; this is taken as an index of social recognition