Expression Of Arginine Vasotocin In Distinct Preoptic Regions Is Associated With Dominant And Subordinate Behaviour In An African Cichlid Fish

Hormonal influences on behaviour can be complex. In our study we examined the neuropeptide hormone arginine vasotocin in the brain of an African cichlid fish, in which males are either dominant or subordinate.


Our results show that this hormone may have multiple, even opposing, effects on both behaviour and physiology. Neurons that produce arginine vasotocin are found in several brain regions. We found that production of this hormone was increased in both dominant and subordinate males, but in different forebrain regions.

Furthermore, hormone levels in these regions correlated with the production of dominant or subordinate behaviour and physiology.


Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences


Proceedings B is the Royal Society's flagship biological research journal, dedicated to the rapid publication and broad dissemination of high-quality research papers, reviews and comment and reply papers. The scope of journal is diverse and is especially strong in organismal biology.


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