Canon EOS 5D Mark II
ƒ/6.3
183 mm
1/320
1600

oxytocin surge at dusk

Gray wolves and prairie voles…

Prairie voles are rare among mice for their “faithful marriages” (pair bonding, mongamy, and joint rasing of the young). Other voles and mice exhibit none of those traits. Tom Insel has done some fascinating experiments to genetically regulate the number of oxytocin and vasopressin receptors (which link to the D2 dopamine receptors associated with drug addiction) in the vole brain. Mating causes a release of both hormones, but the right receptors have to be in the brain for the pair-bonding to follow.

In short, Tom was able to switch monogamy on and off. Monogamy may boil down to the length of a DNA sequence in a promoter switch at the front of a particular receptor gene.

12 responses to “Monogamy”

  1. Broken Toy Shop Avatar
    Broken Toy Shop

    This is a pretty decent shot.

    So, what you are saying is that love is addictive, lovers are just heroin junkies without the dope and I need to go to rehab?

    Reply
  2. Dr DAD (Daniel A D'Auria MD) Avatar
    Dr DAD (Daniel A D’Auria MD)

    Beautiful….great shot! Remember reading about this study this past year. What fascinated me most was not the concept of a certain activity or emotion being tied to neurotransmitters (since inherently everything we do is), but that this particular characteristic, “monogamy”, seemed to be so very simply tied to one neurotransmitter. I forsee the day when a couple can remain faithful and monogamous just by popping a pill. Divorce attorneys….look out your futures may be in jeapardy!

    Reply
  3. Jonathan Ruff Avatar
    Jonathan Ruff

    This is excellent. One of my favorites of your photos.

    Reply
  4. Dr DAD (Daniel A D'Auria MD) Avatar
    Dr DAD (Daniel A D’Auria MD)

    Certainlly Dave I think that my statement was a gross oversimplification. I don’t believe that any human complex emotion or characteristic is completely governed by one neurotransmitter or neuronal pathway. One cannot argue with the vole study that Steve is referring to. When it comes to the medications we prescribe (and some of us take) every day…their approved actions were likely found serendipitously as side effects when studying them for other potential uses (case in point, Viagra). The fact that very few medications work the same way on everyone is proof that these physiologic issues are more complex and genetically varied. My point was simply that at some future date, couples might choose to improve their potential for a long term monogamous relationship through medical therapy, much as many now choose to treat depression or hypertension. Just food for thought……

    Reply
  5. Dr DAD (Daniel A D'Auria MD) Avatar
    Dr DAD (Daniel A D’Auria MD)

    Dave
    After 20 years in practice I have to agree with much of what you said. In fact perhaps one of the things that keeps me sane is knowing that I have the ability to "change or update my reality" and continue becoming the person that I am. Part of that is achieved through "a better education", though winning the lottery wouldn’t hurt. A change in personality comes with the reality that we can look forward to other things in life besides the daily drudgery. To some extent we can always effect the outcomes of our actions by way of the decisions we make though the environment will always contribute something. And last but not least, a good kick in the ass always helps you reorient. I’ve had many, in fact, isn’t that what a wife is for?? =O

    Reply
  6. Dr DAD (Daniel A D'Auria MD) Avatar
    Dr DAD (Daniel A D’Auria MD)

    Hey Steve, it really is a good photo!!! =)

    Reply
  7. Dr DAD (Daniel A D'Auria MD) Avatar
    Dr DAD (Daniel A D’Auria MD)

    Bachelor at 54! I’m envious! Two wives and 4 kids later I still have not learned a few things!
    Truthfully thought, I would not have traded a second. Not the good or the bad, and certianly not the kids!

    Reply
  8. jurvetson Avatar
    jurvetson

    Whoa – that was deep. And we all want to think we will have symbolic immortality… But delusion and luck save some of us surely!

    Dave-h: I love the discussion. No need to worry about that. And everyone in my wife’s side of the family is a psychiatrist too… So it’s kinda special for me to lurk on all this

    Reply
  9. TomiTapio Avatar
    TomiTapio

    A fun shot.

    Reply
  10. tonyjurvetson Avatar
    tonyjurvetson

    For those that are lacking in trusting relationships, you can now purchase a two month supply of liquid Oxytocin trust spray spray for $49.95 from http://www.verolabs.com/

    The company warns: "We are strongly opposed to the use of Liquid Trust or any other thing for immoral or manipulative purposes. We truly hope that you will only use our products when you have only the best intentions in mind."

    So not fair spraying yourself and catching voles or hanging out with wolves.

    Reply
  11. tonyjurvetson Avatar
    tonyjurvetson

    Interesting studies on trust in the bottle:
    video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5898997992168628392#
    Jorge D. Flechas, MD discusses Oxytocin;
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2mHO6QrKV0&feature=related
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-3M0Xz2PrM&feature=related
    I wonder if Bernie Madoff used this product? George Busch? The mind boggles, with elections coming in November.

    Reply
  12. laurielabar Avatar
    laurielabar

    wonderful, wonderful capture. Congrats~

    The pair... ~ A Gorgeous Shot
    I saw this in the QEMD "Finch" Group

    Reply

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