Agonistic behavior has shaped sociality across evolution. Though extremely diverse in types of displays and timing, agonistic encounters always follow the same conserved phases (evaluation, contest and post-resolution) and depend on homologous neural circuits modulated by the same neuroendocrine mediators across vertebrates. Among neuromodulators, serotonin (5-HT) is the main inhibitor of aggre...

The neurohypophyseal hormone arginine vasotocin (AVT) mediates behavioral and reproductive plasticity in vertebrates, and has been linked to the behavioral changes associated with protogyny in the bluehead wrasse (Thalassoma bifasciatum). In this study, we sequenced full-length cDNAs encoding two distinct V1a-type AVT receptors (v1a1 and v1a2) from the bluehead wrasse, and examined variation in...

PGE(2) is a well-known inhibitor of the antidiuretic hormone-induced increase of osmotic water permeability (OWP) in different osmoregulatory epithelia; however, the mechanisms underlying this effect of PGE(2) are not completely understood. Here, we report that, in the frog Rana temporaria urinary bladder, EP(1)-receptor-mediated inhibition of arginine-vasotocin (AVT)-induced OWP by PGE(2) is a...

This chapter reviews research on amphibians, focusing on questions about the hormonal mechanisms that regulate reproductive behaviors. In the roughskin newt (Taricha granulosa) and other amphibians, reproductive behaviors are activated and maintained by the usual set of sex steroid hormones—testosterone, 5αdihydrotestosterone, and 17β-estradiol. Sex steroids appear to act on the brain and activ...

In the present study, we assessed the responses of the vasotocinergic and isotocinergic systems to chronic stress induced by cortisol administration in the gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata). Pituitary and plasma arginine vasotocin (AVT) and isotocin (IT) levels, as well as hypothalamic pro-vasotocin (pro-VT) and pro-isotocin (pro-IT) mRNA expression levels, were analysed. In addition, the mRNA...

Abstract Arginine vasotocin (AVT) and its homolog arginine vasopressin (AVP) modulate social behavior, including communication. In anuran amphibians, male-male competition female mate choice rely heavily on acoustic signaling. Behavioral experiments show that AVT influences motivation to call vocal production. It may also influence how males process respond socially relevant auditory stimuli, b...

This memorandum is a companion document to the current version of the RTP protocol speci cation draft-ietf-avt-rtp-*.ftxt,psg. It discusses protocol aspects of transporting real-time services (for example, voice or video) over packet-switched networks such as the Internet. It compares and evaluates design alternatives for a real-time transport protocol, providing rationales for the design decis...