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Relevance of number and physiological status of conspecifics in preventing stress-induced decreases in newly proliferated cells and neuroblasts

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Abstract

Rationale and objective

The presence of three conspecifics prevents stress-induced decreases in newly proliferated cells and neuroblasts in mouse dentate gyrus (DG). In this study, we sought to determine how many conspecifics are required to exert these protective effects against stress. In addition, we manipulated the physiological status of those conspecifics in the context of their stress-buffering effects and used airborne oxytocin exposure as a substitute for the presence of conspecifics.

Materials and methods

Bromodeoxyuridine staining was used to indicate the newly proliferated cells and co-staining with doublecortin to reveal the proliferative neuroblasts.

Results

Presentation of three intact and lipopolysaccharide-treated conspecifics prevented the stress-induced decreases in the number of newly proliferated cells and neuroblasts in DG. Presentation of one saline- or oxytocin (OT)–treated conspecific did not exert observable stress-buffering effects. In contrast, airborne oxytocin prevented the stress-induced decreases in DG cell proliferation and early neurogenesis, while pretreatment with L-371,257, a selective OT receptor antagonist, abolished the buffering effects of OT.

Conclusions

Physical interaction with the conspecifics and conspecifics’ sickness, at best, play a minor role in mediating the buffering effects against stress-induced decreases in DG cell proliferation or early neurogenesis. Moreover, stress-buffering effects are negligible with the presence of only one conspecific. Finally, airborne OT produced stress-buffering effects possibly via its stimulation of OT receptors. Oxytocin merits further study as a substitute for the stress-buffering effects of companions.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to extend our deepest appreciation for Prof. G.C. Wagner’s reading and proofing of the manuscript.

Funding

This research was supported by ROC Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) grants 103-2410-H-006-028-MY3 to L.Y., and 107-2629-H-010-002 to C.G.C.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physiology, National Cheng Kung University College of Medicine, Tainan, 701, Taiwan, Republic of China

    Li-Han Sun, Wen-Yu Tzeng, Yi-Han Liao, Wen-Ting Deng & Lung Yu

  2. Education Center of Humanities and Social Sciences, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, 102, Taiwan, Republic of China

    Chianfang G. Cherng

  3. Institute of Behavioral Medicine, National Cheng Kung University College of Medicine, Tainan, 701, Taiwan, Republic of China

    Lung Yu

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  1. Li-Han Sun
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  2. Wen-Yu Tzeng
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  3. Yi-Han Liao
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  4. Wen-Ting Deng
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  5. Chianfang G. Cherng
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  6. Lung Yu
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Contributions

L-H.S., W-Y.T., Y-H.L., C.G.C., and L.Y. were involved in manuscript writing and editing and collecting most of the data. L-H.S., W-Y.T., Y-H.L., C.G.C., and L.Y. came up with the experiment proposal and contributed to the experimental designs. C.G.C. contributed to most data analysis. W-T.D. was responsible for a part of data collection, data analysis, and interpretation.

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Correspondence to Chianfang G. Cherng or Lung Yu.

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Sun, LH., Tzeng, WY., Liao, YH. et al. Relevance of number and physiological status of conspecifics in preventing stress-induced decreases in newly proliferated cells and neuroblasts. Psychopharmacology 236, 3329–3339 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-019-05290-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-019-05290-4

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