Vasopressin (AVP) and oxytocin (OT) receptors (nomenclature as recommended by NC-IUPHAR [94]) are activated the endogenous cyclic nonapeptides vasopressin oxytocin. These peptides derived from precursors which also produce neurophysins (neurophysin I for oxytocin; neurophysin II vasopressin). differ at only 2 amino acids (positions 3 8). There metabolites of these neuropeptides that may be biol...

Originally known for its role in childbirth and lactation, oxytocin (OT) has recently proved to play a key role in social behavior. Deprived of OT, humans are unable to recognize 1,2 and to bond 3 to their peers. Inversely, once boosted with OT, people become more caring 4 , trusting 5,6,7 and generous 8. Effect-sizes on trust and generosity were sufficiently large that OT started to be perceiv...

The oxytocin (OT) system is involved in various aspects of social cognition and prosocial behavior. Specifically, OT has been examined in the context of social memory, emotion recognition, cooperation, trust, empathy, and bonding, and-though evidence is somewhat mixed-intranasal OT appears to benefit aspects of socioemotional functioning. However, most of the extant data on aging and OT is from...

Oxytocin (OT) and a polymorphism (rs53576) in the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) have been independently associated with stress reactivity, whereas oxytocin's sister peptide, arginine vasopressin (AVP) and polymorphisms in the vasopressin receptor gene (AVPR1A) have been independently associated with aggressive behavior. In this study, 68 men and 98 women were genotyped for the OXTR rs53576 poly...

The oxytocin (OT) system, critically involved in social bonding, may also impinge on spirituality, which is the belief in a meaningful life imbued with a sense of connection to a Higher Power and/or the world. Midlife male participants (N = 83) were randomly assigned to receive intranasal OT or placebo. In exploratory analyses, participants were also genotyped for polymorphisms in two genes cri...

We have studied in the porcine endometrium the expression of oxytocin receptor (OTR) mRNA and the effect of progesterone (P4) on oxytocin/oxytocin receptor (OT/OTR) function concerning intracellular Ca2+ mobilisation ([Ca2+]i), prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha) and E2 (PGE2; PG) secretion. Tissue was taken from cyclic and early pregnant pigs (days 14-16). A higher expression of OTR mRNA (P < 0....

Oxytocin (OT) has been associated with mother–infant bonding, while cortisol levels have stressful response. The objective of this study was to explore the possible correlation between OT and quality bonding. were measured using urine saliva tests. Maternal bonding by observation a post-partum questionnaire. Our results, group 29 healthy dyads, found no nurturing condition, but we positive corr...

Wang, Yu-Feng, Todd A. Ponzio, and Glenn I. Hatton. Autofeedback effects of progressively rising oxytocin concentrations on supraoptic oxytocin neuronal activity in slices from lactating rats. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 290: R1191–R1198, 2006. First published December 1, 2005; doi:10.1152/ajpregu.00725.2005.—Suckling stimuli induce somatodendritic oxytocin (OT) release from supraopt...

Converging evidence from humans and non-human animals indicates that the neurohypophysial hormone oxytocin (OT) evolved to serve a specialized function in social behavior in mammals. Although OT-based therapies are currently being evaluated as remedies for social deficits in neuropsychiatric disorders, precisely how OT regulates complex social processes remains largely unknown. Here we describe...

Behavioral strategies that facilitate the maintenance of social bonds are critical for the preservation of high-quality social relationships. Central oxytocin (OT) activity modulates the behavioral features of socially monogamous relationships in a number of mammalian species (including marmoset monkeys), and plays a vital role in the behavioral maintenance of long-term social relationships. Tw...