Table 1 Nonapeptides and receptors that play a role in reproductive behaviour.
Molecule or structure | Description |
|---|---|
Oxytocin | A nonapeptide associated with reproduction and social bonding. Thought to be most important in females. |
Mesotocin | The bird/reptile homolog of oxytocin. |
Isotocin | The anamniote homolog of oxytocin. |
Arginine Vasopressin (AVP) | A nonapeptide associated with aggression, space use, and reproduction. Thought to be most important in males. |
Arginine Vasotocin (AVT) | The non-mammalian homolog of AVP. |
V1a | A cell membrane receptor for AVT and AVP that is commonly associated with social behaviour. |
AVP circuit | A collection of neurons that project axons and deliver AVP or AVT to another set of neurons in a different region in the brain. |