Commentary

What is it about?

Teleostean neuropeptides such as arginine vasotocin (AVT) and isotocin (IT) and their homologues arginine vasopressin (AVP) and oxytocin (OT) are implicated in the regulation of reproduction and social behaviour in vertebrates. In fish, those neurohormones have also been reported to influence sexual behaviour, including aggression, courtship, vocalization, and spawning reflex. In higher vertebrates, AVP/OT systems affect social behaviour by acting within a complex neuronal network defined as a ‘social behavioural neuronal network’ (SBNN). The SBNN is composed of groups of neurons, defined as nodes that are reciprocally connected, express gonadal steroid receptors, and constitute an important site of regulation or activation of multiple forms of social behaviour. Furthermore, there is evidence that SBNN also exists in non-mammalian vertebrates, including fish.

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