Analogies Between Oxytocin Systems of the Uterus and Brain

Caldwell, Jack D.; Walker, Cheryl H.; O’Rourke, Stephen T.; Faggin, B M; Morris, Mariana; Mason, George A.

doi:10.1055/s-2007-979131

Cited by 23 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 37 publications

(48 reference statements)

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“…Therefore, it is likely that there is a functional reason why it is a selective advantage for these cells to produce steroid binding globulins. The PVN and SON are highly vascularized and cells in these areas serve to monitor blood constituents and output their information to the pituitary and areas important in visceral control (Caldwell et al 1996). It is possible that production of steroid binding globulins in the hypothalamus is signiWcant not only to regulate steroid levels but also for steroid internalization, as has been demonstrated for SHBG in the PVN .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Distribution of vitamin D binding protein expressing neurons in the rat hypothalamus

Jirikowski

Kauntzer

Dief

et al. 2008

Histochem Cell Biol

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We observed immunostaining for vitamin D binding protein (DBP) in rat hypothalamus. Part of the supraoptic and of the paraventricular neurons showed DBP immunoreactivity, in part colocalized with Arg-vasopressin. DBP was also observed in widespread axonal projections throughout the lateral hypothalamus, the median eminence and the posterior pituitary lobe. A portion of ependymal cells, the choroids plexus epithelium and some of the endocrine cells in the anterior pituitary lobe contained DBP immunoreactivity. In situ hybridization of semithin sections with a synthetic oligonucleotide probe to DBP mRNA resulted in staining of magnocellular hypothalamic neurons, but not of ependymal cells or anterior lobe cells. Our observations indicate an intrinsic expression of DBP in the rat hypothalamus. DBP may be synthesized and transported along with the classical neurohypophyseal hormones. The multiple locations of DBP-expressing neurons indicate multiple functional properties: DBP may be released from in the posterior lobe, it may act as a hypophyseotropic factor and as a central neuroactive substance.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Distribution of vitamin D binding protein expressing neurons in the rat hypothalamus

Jirikowski

Kauntzer

Dief

et al. 2008

Histochem Cell Biol

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“…One line of evidence in favour of a coordinated release is that neurons responsible for central oxytocin release also protrude into the pituitary, which is responsible for peripheral oxytocin release [38]. A second line of evidence is that peripherally and centrally administered oxytocin can trigger similar behavioural responses in a range of animals [31,56,[58][59][60][61]. Finally, genetically caused, abnormally low central oxytocin secretion is also associated with low plasma oxytocin levels in both mice [62] and humans [53].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Urinary oxytocin and social bonding in related and unrelated wild chimpanzees

et al. 2013

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Animals that maintain cooperative relationships show gains in longevity and offspring survival. However, little is known about the cognitive or hormonal mechanisms involved in cooperation. Indeed, there is little support for a main hypothesis that non-human animals have the cognitive capacities required for bookkeeping of cooperative exchanges. We tested an alternative hypothesis that cooperative relationships are facilitated by an endocrinological mechanism involving oxytocin, a hormone required for bonding in parental and sexual relationships across mammals. We measured urinary oxytocin after single bouts of grooming in wild chimpanzees. Oxytocin levels were higher after grooming with bond partners compared with nonbond partners or after no grooming, regardless of genetic relatedness or sexual interest. We ruled out other possible confounds, such as grooming duration, grooming direction or sampling regime issues, indicating that changes in oxytocin levels were mediated by social bond strength. Oxytocin, which is thought to act directly on neural reward and social memory systems, is likely to play a key role in keeping track of social interactions with multiple individuals over time. The evolutionary linkage of an ancestral hormonal system with complex social cognition may be the primary mechanism through which long-term cooperative relationships develop between both kin and non-kin in mammals.

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“…However, oxytocin likely produces central changes that affect downstream processes such as autonomic outflow and behavioral responses to isolation. While circulating oxytocin is purported to cross the blood-brain barrier in small quantities (approximately 0.2% of subcutaneously administered oxytocin crosses the blood-brain barrier in adult rodents) (see Jones and Robinson, 1982; Ermisch et al, 1985), chronic peripheral administration of this peptide produces many of the same responses that occur following central release of oxytocin, including reductions in blood pressure and regulation of motivated behaviors (Arletti et al, 1992; Petersson et al, 1996; Caldwell et al, 1996; Liberzon et al, 1997). Similarly, peripheral administration of oxytocin in rats has been shown to alter receptor function in central regions associated with stressor responsiveness and cardiovascular regulation, including hypothalamus, amygdala, NTS, and locus coeruleus (Petersson et al, 1998; 2005).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Oxytocin protects against negative behavioral and autonomic consequences of long-term social isolation

Grippo

Trahanas

Zimmerman

et al. 2009

Psychoneuroendocrinology

215

172

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SummaryPositive social interactions and social support may protect against various forms of mental and physical illness, although the mechanisms for these effects are not well identified. The socially monogamous prairie vole, which -like humans -forms social bonds and displays high levels of parasympathetic activity, has provided a useful model for investigating neurobiological systems that mediate the consequences of sociality. In the present study, adult female prairie voles were exposed to social isolation or continued pairing with a female sibling (control conditions) for 4 weeks. During weeks 3 and 4 of this period, animals were administered oxytocin (20µg/50µl, SC) or saline vehicle (50µl, SC) daily for a total of 14 days. In Experiment 1 autonomic parameters were recorded during and following isolation or pairing. Isolation (vs. pairing) significantly increased basal heart rate (HR) and reduced HR variability and vagal regulation of the heart; these changes in isolated animals were prevented with oxytocin administration. In Experiment 2 behaviors relevant to depression [sucrose intake and swimming in the forced swim test (FST)] were measured as a function of isolation. Isolation reduced sucrose intake and increased immobility in the FST; these behaviors also were prevented by oxytocin. Administration of oxytocin did not significantly alter cardiac, autonomic or behavioral responses of paired animals. These findings support the hypothesis that oxytocinergic mechanisms can protect against behavioral and cardiac dysfunction in response to chronic social stressors, and can provide insight into social influences on behavior and autonomic function in humans.

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Analogies Between Oxytocin Systems of the Uterus and Brain

Cited by 23 publications

References 37 publications

Distribution of vitamin D binding protein expressing neurons in the rat hypothalamus

Distribution of vitamin D binding protein expressing neurons in the rat hypothalamus

Urinary oxytocin and social bonding in related and unrelated wild chimpanzees

Oxytocin protects against negative behavioral and autonomic consequences of long-term social isolation

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