Neurohypophyseal hormone receptors in the septum are implicated in social recognition in the rat.

The effects on social recognition memory of (Arg(8))-vasopressin (AVP-(1-9), [pGlu(4), Cyt(6)]AVP-(4-8) and oxytocin locally administered into the rat's septum were investigated. In the behavioural paradigm used, a juvenile intruder was presented to an adult resident male rat twice for 5 min, with an inter-exposure interval of 120 min. Peptide-free residents investigated the juvenile during the second encounter as long as during the first encounter. Intraseptal injection just after the first encounter with graded doses of (Arg(8))-vasopressin, [pGlu(4),Cyt(6)]AVP-(4-8) or oxytocin caused a decrease of social investigation, as compared to placebo treatment, indicating facilitation of social recognition. The least effective dose was 100pg, 200pg and 300pg respectively. The action of vasopressin was blocked by both d(CH(2))(5)[Tyr(Me)(2)]AVP and d(CH(2))(5)[D-Ile(2)Ile(4)]AVP, V(1) and V(2) vasopressinergic receptor antagonists, but not by desGly(NH(2))(9)-d(CH(2))(5)[Tyr(Me)(2)Thr(4)]-OVT, an oxytocinergic receptor antagonist. None of the antagonists blocked the oxytocin-facilitating action on social recognition. They also did not affect social recognition when injected alone. The effects of vasopressin seem to be mediated by vasopressinergic receptors dissimilar to those found in the periphery, while the receptors involved in the action of oxytocin remain to be elucidated.