The insensitivity of AVP was correlated with the down-regulated AVP receptor 1a (AVPR1A, AVPR1A gene) and protein kinase C isoform β (PKCβ, PKCΒ gene), particularly the hyper-methylation-mediated AVPR1A and PKCΒ gene down-regulation, respectively.
Recent rodent studies have shown both centrally and peripherally administered oxytocin is effective in reducing territorial aggression, an adaptive form of aggression not reflective of pathological hyper-aggression.The current study tested i.p. administered oxytocin and vasopressin in a model of non-territorial hyper-aggression and examined the involvement of oxytocin receptors (OXTR) and vasopressin V1a receptors (V1aR).