Dopamine D2 receptors in the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex modulate social hierarchy in male mice

Abstract Social hierarchy greatly influences behavior and health. Both human animal studies have signaled the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) as specifically related to social hierarchy. Dopamine D1 receptors (D1Rs) D2 (D2Rs) are abundantly expressed in mPFC, modulating its functions. However, it is unclear how DR-expressing neurons mPFC regulate Here, using a confrontation tube test, we found that most adult C57BL/6J male mice could establish linear rank after 1 week of cohabitation. Lower individuals showed anxiety together with decreased serum testosterone levels. D2R expression was significantly downregulated dorsal part (dmPFC) lower individuals, whereas D1R no significant difference among groups whole mPFC. Virus knockdown D2Rs dmPFC led being particularly prone lose contests test. Finally, simultaneous activation subordinates inhibition dominants pair switched their dominant–subordinate relationship. The above results indicate play an important role dominance. Our findings provide novel insights into divergent functions D1Rs dominance, which may contribute ameliorating dysfunctions along abnormal