The identity of putative oxytocin receptors visualized in autoradiographic
studies of primate brain is unclear because the ligand used is much less se
lective in primate than rodent brains. This study tests the feasibility of
utilizing a new monoclonal antibody (MoAb) developed against human uterine
OTRs to visualize OTRs in primate brain. A block containing ventral hypotha
lamus of cynomolgus macaque brain, paraformaldehyde, glutaraldehyde-fixed a
nd paraffin-embedded, and positive control tissue (human endometrium) were
sectioned at 8 mum and studied with immunohistochemistry. OTRs were located
in fibers in septal nucleus and in both cell bodies and fibers of preoptic
area. These results indicate that OTRs in primate brain may be visualized
with this MoAb, and are located in primate brain sites linked to the regula
tion of social behavior. NeuroReport 12:1723-1726 (C) 2001 Lippincott Willi
ams & Wilkins.