On the participation of vasopressinergic system in regulation of adaptive behavior in rats

In model experiments on rats the effect of desmopressin (structural analog of arginine vasopressin), activating V2 receptors, on the various components of adaptive behavior is studied. In the test "Open field" it is found that under the influence of desmopressin horizontal and vertical motor activity is enhanced on the background of the relatively low level of exploratory behavior. Tests "Elevated plus maze" and "Black-and-white camera" show increase in the level of anxiety with long V2 activation of receptors. The test "8-channel radial maze" shows a negative effect of desmopressin on learning and spatial memory in the implementation of food searching behavior. It is assumed that the basis of the observed effects is depression for a negative feedback of endogenous vasopressin and decreased functional activity of the brain V-receptors.