Fig. 2.

MOR and pair bonding. (A) Receptor autoradiography showing ligand binding to MOR in prairie vole brain. MOR density in the NAC shell is moderate, but much lower than MOR density in the CP. (B) After 24 hours of cohabitation with a partner, prairie voles receiving saline to the NAC shell or CP formed pair bonds as normal. MOR antagonist injected into the NAS shell did not affect pair bonding, while MOR antagonist in the CP prevented the formation of a pair bond. These data show that MOR in the CP is necessary for pair bond formation. Figure adapted from Burkett et al 2011.