Partner Loss in Monogamous Rodents: Modulation of Pain and Emotional Behavior in Male Prairie Voles

ABSTRACTObjectivePain is modulated by psychosocial factors, and social stress–induced hyperalgesia is a common clinical symptom in pain disorders. To provide a new animal model for studying social modulation of pain, we examined pain behaviors in monogamous prairie voles experiencing partner loss.MethodsAfter cohabitation with novel females, males (n = 79) were divided into two groups on the basis of preference test scores. Half of the males of each group were separated from their partner (loss group), whereas the other half remained paired (paired group). Thus, males from both groups experienced social isolation. Open field tests, plantar tests, and formalin tests were then conducted on males to assess anxiety and pain-related behaviors.ResultsLoss males showing partner preferences (n = 20) displayed a significant increase in anxiety-related behavior in the open-field test (central area/total distance: 13.65% [1.58%] for paired versus 6.45% [0.87%] for loss; p

Source: Psychosomatic Medicine - December 27, 2017 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research