6533b821fe1ef96bd127af0f

RESEARCH PRODUCT

The state of art of biological processes in paternal care

Rui Nunes-costaBárbara FigueiredoLuis Moya-albiol

subject

lcsh:BF1-990Social SciencesPsycINFOprocessos neuroquímicosPaternidade03 medical and health sciences0302 clinical medicineNeurochemicalGeneticNeurochemistryativação neuronalSet (psychology)General Psychology030304 developmental biology0303 health sciencesNeurochemistrygenéticaGenéticaPhenotypeNeural activationPaternal carelcsh:PsychologyState of artPsychologyPaternal careNeuroscienceAtivação neuronal030217 neurology & neurosurgeryProcessos neuroquímicosHormone

description

This review of the state of art aimed to present the most recent data on neuronal, neurochemical, hormonal and genetic bases of paternal care using MEDLINE and PsycInfo databases (1970-2013). An integrated model of biological substrates that assist men in the transition to fatherhood is presented. Guided by a genetic background, hypothalamic-midbrain-limbic-paralimbic-cortical circuits were found to be activated in fathers when infant stimuli are presented. A set of specifi c neuropeptides and steroid hormones are produced and seem to be related to brain activation, potentiating the paternal phenotype. Together, genetic, brain and hormonal processes suggest the existence of biological bases of paternal care in humans, activated and enhanced by infant stimuli and responsive to variations in the father-infant relationship.

https://doi.org/10.1590/1678-7153.201427420