Could oxytocin administration during labor contribute to autism and related behavioral disorders? – A look at the literature

Wahl, Roy U. Rojas

doi:10.1016/j.mehy.2004.03.008

Cited by 70 publications

(46 citation statements)

References 43 publications

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“…In addition, OT antagonists are clinically available as tocolytics, for the prevention of prematurity (Husslein, 2002). In both cases the behavioral or neuroendocrine effects for the human infant do not appear to have been investigated (Rojas Wahl, 2004). It is generally assumed that OT does not cross the placenta, although the integrity of this barrier may be affected by the birth process (Laudanski and Pierzynski, 2003).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Oxytocin has dose-dependent developmental effects on pair-bonding and alloparental care in female prairie voles

Bales¹,

Westerhuyzen²,

Lewis-Reese³

et al. 2007

Hormones and Behavior

156

108

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The present study examines the developmental consequences of neonatal exposure to oxytocin on adult social behaviors in female prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster). Female neonates were injected within 24 hours of birth with isotonic saline or one of four dosages of oxytocin (OT). As adults, females were tested in an elevated plus-maze paradigm (a measure of anxiety and exploratory behavior), and for alloparental behavior and partner preferences. At 2 mg/kg OT, females took longer to approach pups, but were the only group to form a statistically significant within-group partner preference. At 4 mg/kg OT, females retrieved pups significantly more frequently but no longer displayed a partner preference; while females treated developmentally with 8 mg/kg spent significantly more time in side-to-side contact with a male stranger than any other treatment group. OT may have broad developmental consequences, but these effects are not linear and may both increase and decrease the propensity to display behaviors such as pair-bonding.The neuropeptide oxytocin (OT) has been implicated in social behavior in both male and female mammals. OT's peripheral effects include the induction of parturition and milk let-down, while central OT has been associated with the onset of maternal behavior (Pedersen and Prange Jr., 1979;Pedersen et al., 1982;Pedersen and Boccia, 2002), and other positive social behaviors such as pair-bonding (Insel and Hulihan, 1995;Carter and Altemus, 1997;Cho et al., 1999) and male parental care (Bales et al., 2004b). It is also becoming evident that manipulations of OT and a related peptide, arginine vasopressin (AVP) during the perinatal period of life can have life-long implications for social behavior and neuroendocrine function (Stribley and Carter, 1999;Diaz-Cabiale et al., 2000;Carter, 2003;Lipschitz et al., 2003). These exposures can be either endogenous, through responses to touch, warmth (Uvnas-Moberg, 1998) or perhaps through OT in breast milk (Leake et al., 1981); they could also be pharmacological, for example through use of pitocin or an oxytocin antagonist to manipulate labor (Husslein, 2002).In this context, we have begun to examine the consequences of OT manipulations in early life for subsequent social behaviors and neuroendocrine variables. Because we were particularly interested in the developmental control of social behaviors such as pair-bond formation and biparental behaviors, we chose to study the socially monogamous prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster). In this species both males and females display parental care and form selective partner preferences indicative of pair-bonding, although the mechanisms for these behaviors Please direct correspondence to: Karen L. Bales, Dept. of Psychology, One Shields Ave., University of California, Davis, CA 95616. Ph: (530) 754−5890, Fax: (530) 752−2087, email: klbales@ucdavis.edu Publisher's Disclaimer: This is a PDF file of an unedited manuscript that has been accepted for publication. As a service to our customers we are providing this e...

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Oxytocin has dose-dependent developmental effects on pair-bonding and alloparental care in female prairie voles

Bales¹,

Westerhuyzen²,

Lewis-Reese³

et al. 2007

Hormones and Behavior

156

108

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…For example, exogenous OT may alter initiation of breastfeeding, probably due to impaired pulsatile secretion of OT and receptor desensitization, and may alter the maternal neural architecture during the sensitive period of birth [12][13][14]. Studies have also shown that an excess of circulating OT can desensitize OT receptors by several underlying mechanisms, therefore decreasing the beneficial effects of its natural secretion and action within the central nervous system [15,16]. Similarly, experimental paradigms in mammalian models that manipulated the OT system in the perinatal period documented lifelong changes in social behavior and related repertoire [17].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Moreover, reduced expression of the OT receptor has been associated with an epigenetic characteristic of the OT system in rodents, namely, methylation of the OT-receptor (OXTR) promoter region [31], and variations in OXTR expression and methylation patterns have been found to associate with differentiated socio-cognitive propensities, including ASD symptomology [32][33][34][35]. Based on this line of findings, showing that exposure to OT during birth alter infant's DNA methylation, and that specific genomic and epigenomic patterns are associated with ASD phenotype, it was postulated that OTdriven epigenetic change during delivery is likely to dysregulate the offspring's brain neuropeptide systems, consequently leading to atypical brain development [15,36].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Oxytocin-augmented labor and risk for autism in males

Weisman

Agerbo

Carter

et al. 2015

Behavioural Brain Research

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“…For example, it has been hypothesized that administration of OT during labor can generate excess OT in the fetal brain. Such excesses might lead to downregulation of OT receptors and, subsequently, to imbalance of the OT system and unavailability of OT for further signal transduction cascades (16). A general dysregulation of the OT system has been conjectured in humans with autism (9).…”

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confidence: 99%