Nature magazine has recently been doing’ some Doin’ it research on the vole- one of the few other mammals that mate for life, or until they get a di-Vole-ce*. They have been testing oxytocin, a hormone that is partially responsible for those warm fuzzy feelings that makes a mom like her kid, and for those naughty warm fuzzy feelings that makes her like the kid’s dad (sinner). When it was administered to lady voles, they imediately became attached to the nearest male (sorry to my Sapphic friends, you’ll have to continue to rely on your charm and carpentry skills to woo the ladies). When they blocked oxytocin’s action, the voles were unable to form bonds. Finally science, you have delivered on the long sought after cootie shot. Society, and third graders worldwide owe you a debt of thanks.
*This entire post was a vehicle for making this joke. I’m sorry for wasting your time.
I make scientists think about sex
