The neuropeptide, oxytocin, receives increasing attention due to its role in stress regulation and promoting affiliative social behavior. Research across mammals points to a complex pattern whereby social context and individual differences moderate the central release of oxytocin as well as moderate the effects that exogenous administration of oxytocin has on social behavior. In addition, it is...

BACKGROUND Oxytocin, a neurohypophyseal neuropeptide, is a potential mediator and regulator of drug addiction. However, the cellular mechanisms of oxytocin in drug seeking remain unknown. METHODS In the present study, we used a self-administration/reinstatement model to study the effects of oxytocin on cocaine seeking and its potential interaction with glutamate function at the receptor level...

BACKGROUND Induction of labour is the intentional initiation of cervical ripening and uterine contraction for the purpose of accomplishing delivery, prior to onset of spontaneous parturition. This study was conducted to compare maternal and neonatal outcome in women induced with Prostaglandin E2 gel, Prostaglandin E2 pessary and extra-amniotic saline infusion with oxytocin at Bishops score < 5....

We have previously shown that oxytocin receptors are present in the heart and that perfusion of isolated rat hearts with oxytocin results in decreased cardiac flow rate and bradycardia. The mechanisms involved in the negative inotropic and chronotropic effects of oxytocin were investigated in isolated dog right atria in the absence of central mechanisms. Perfusion of atria through the sinus nod...

The hypothalamic neuropeptide oxytocin attracts the attention of both the neuroscientific community and the general public, especially because of its prosocial effects. In the brain, this neuropeptide is synthesized in neurons exclusively located within the hypothalamic nuclei. Magnocellular neurons compose the larger population of oxytocinergic neurons, project to the posterior pituitary lobe ...

Objectives: The aims of the present study were to compare the efficacy of oxytocin bolus alone, oxytocin bolus and infusion, carbetocin bolus alone, and carbetocin bolus followed by oxytocin infusion in reducing blood loss during and after cesarean section and reducing the needs for additional uterotonic agents. Methods: 200 women scheduled for elective CS under spinal anaesthesia were divided ...

Oxytocin, a hormone involved in numerous physiologic processes, plays a central role in the mechanisms of parturition and lactation. It acts through its receptor, which belongs to the G-protein-coupled receptor superfamily, while Gq/phospholipase C (PLC)/inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate (InsP3) is the main pathway via which it exerts its action in the myometrium. Changes in receptor levels, receptor...

AIMS To study the effects of oxytocin on isolated rabbit distal colon and the regulation of ovarian steroids by its action. METHODS Muscle strips parallel to either the circular or the longitudinal fibres were excised and suspended in tissue chambers containing 5 mL Krebs solution (37 degrees C) and bubbled continuously with 95% O(2) and 5% CO(2). The effects of oxytocin on isometric spontane...