• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.29-37
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• 1995

This study was carried out to investigate the morphological changes of the oxytocin secreting neurons in age-related rat hypothalamus by means of immunohistochemistry. The experimental group was 20 aged female rats (Sprague-Dawley, 25~30 months), and the control group was 10 adult female rats (10 months). All animals were perfused transcardially with 4% paraformaldehyde-lysine-periocdate(PLP), and serial transverse brain sections($30{\mu}m$) were prepared by means of cryotome, and were stained with rabbit anti-oxytocin antisera immunohistochemically, using the free floating method and avidin-viotin peroxidase complex. The results were as followings. 1. The immunostained oxytocin secreting neurons were located at the paraventricular nucleus and supraoptic nucleus of age-related rat hypothalamus chiefly. 2. The numbers of oxytocin secreting neurons decreased at the paraventricular nucleus and supraoptic nucleus of age-related rat hypothalamus(p<0.01) 3. The oxytocin secreting neurons of age-related rat hypothalamus immunostained less than those of the adult rat hypothalamus, and the paraventricular nucleus immunostained greater than supraoptic nucleus in age-related rat. 4. The numbers and expansion of dendrite and axonal varicosities decreased in the age-related rat hypothalamus greatly.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.684-692
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• 2001

To find out the effect of oxytocin on somatic cell count and milk production, 12 primiparous and multiparous Murrah buffaloes were selected, immediately after the parturition, from the Institute's buffalo herd. These were divided into two groups of 6 each. Buffaloes of group I did not receive oxytocin injection (control); whereas, buffaloes of group II were administered oxytocin during early lactation (av. 42.50 days). The oxytocin injection was given in doses of 2.5 IU i.m. before the start of milking, to let down the milk, for a period of 5 days. Samples of milk from individual buffaloes were collected for 5 days before (Period I), during (Period II) and after (Period III) from both the group of buffaloes. Milk samples of A. M. and P. M. milking were composited in proposition to milk yields for analysis of milk constituents. Normal values of somatic cell counts in group I of buffaloes varied from 0.54 to $0.75{\times}10^{5}cells/ml$. Mean cytoplasmic particles and epithelial cells varied from 3.68 to $7.19{\times}10^{5}cells/ml$ and 0.13 to $0.54{\times}10^{5}cells/ml$. On percentage basis the epithelial and the total leucocyte count were 60 and 40. Total leucocyte count, in the study varied from 0.17 to $0.69{\times}10^{5}cells/ml$. The differential cell count of milk indicated presence of lymphocytes (16.50 to $61.16{\times}1000$), neutrophil (0.00 to $2.00{\times}1000$) and monocyte (0.00 to $18.16{\times}1000$). Somatic cell count (p<0.01) and epithelial cells (p<0.05) varied between buffaloes and between periods of study. Total leucocyte counts of milk were also significantly varied between periods (p<0.05). The change in fat, lactose, chloride, EC and NEFA concentrations during different periods of study, were highly significant, indicated diurnal variations in different buffaloes during different days of experiment. Administration of oxytocin resulted in increase in somatic cell counts of milk (p<0.01) due to the increases in total leucocyte count (p<0.01) during the treatment period. The differential cell count indicated that oxytocin administration increased lymphocyte number significantly (p<0.01). However, secretion of neutrophil, monocyte and cytoplasmic particles were not affected by oxytocin. Eosinophil and basophil cell, though present in few samples, remain unaffected by oxytocin administration. There was no effect of oxytocin on milk production, composition, pH, EC and NEFA concentration.

• Psychiatry investigation
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• v.15 no.11
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• pp.1079-1086
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• 2018

Objective The pathophysiology of social anxiety disorder (SAD) is not yet well understood, but previous research has suggested that oxytocin is associated with social behavior and may play a role in human anxiety states and anxiety-related traits. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible relationship between social anxiety symptoms and plasma oxytocin levels. Methods Twenty-three male patients with SAD and 28 healthy male controls participated in this study. All participants were assessed using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) and the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS). Multivariate regression analysis was performed to identify associations between plasma oxytocin levels and SAD. Results In multiple regression models, after controlling for age and years of education, we found that higher oxytocin levels were significantly associated with higher total LSAS scores ($R^2=0.157$, coefficient=0.145, 95% CI=-0.0005-0.291, p=0.051) and fear subscale scores ($R^2=0.134$, coefficient=0.083, 95% CI=0.007-0.159, p=0.034) in the SAD group. Conclusion In this study, increased plasma oxytocin levels were associated with higher social anxiety symptoms among SAD patients, but not among controls. This might be because among SAD patients, higher oxytocin (OT) secretion is an insufficient compensatory attempt to reduce social anxiety symptoms.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.210-217
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• 2024

Objective: This study investigated the efficacy of different concentrations of gelatin supplementation in long-term semen extender on boar semen quality during storage for 10 days at 17℃. Additionally, oxytocin was added to stored semen to enhance fertility. Methods: In Experiment 1, boar semen was collected, diluted with gelatin at concentrations between 0% and 2.5% (w/v) and mixed with a semen extender. Then, it was kept in a refrigerator at 17℃ and stored for 10 days. In Experiment 2, the sperm quality was examined after adding 0, 5, and 10 IU oxytocin per artificial insemination dose to the most effective semen extender from Experiment 1 and placing it in a refrigerator at 17℃ for 10 days. In Experiment 3, the fertility potential in terms of non-return rate and litter size was determined using the most effective solid-stored semen supplemented with oxytocin. Results: The results indicated that sperm quality decreased with increasing storage time (p<0.05). The sperm quality in terms of total motility, progressive motility, and viable sperm with intact acrosomes and high mitochondrial potential was the highest with 1.5% gelatin supplementation (p<0.001) on all days of storage. Treatment with oxytocin did not affect sperm quality (p>0.05). The non-return rate and litter size after insemination with semen supplemented with 1.5% gelatin and 10 IU of oxytocin after 8 to 10 days of storage were comparable to those of the control group (p>0.05). Conclusion: A semen extender as a solid medium supplemented with 1.5% gelatin successfully preserved boar semen for a long storage duration. Treatment with oxytocin did not affect sperm quality. In addition, the fertility capacity using 1.5% gelatin with 10 IU oxytocin and stored for 8 to 10 days was acceptable and comparable to that of short-term storage.

• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.53-61
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• 2009

Oxytocin(OT), classically known to stimulate labour and milk ejection, contributes to play an important role in a wide range of behavioral effects including drug addiction. An increasing body of evidence suggests that OT ameliorates acute and long-term effects of commonly used drugs by means of interacting with the mesolimbic dopamine system. Mesolimbic dopamine system is thought to play a major role in the reinforcing properties of drug abuse. Oxytocin receptors in the nucleus accumbens(NAc) and ventral tegmental area(VTA) have been implicated in the regulation of reinforcing effects in abused drugs. In the same way acupuncture may attenuate the reinforcing effects of abused drugs in the NAc and VTA. We have an interest in similar liaison between the substrates of acupuncture and drug addiction that may involve OT. Here, we described the possibility that acupuncture modulates the reinforcing and sensitizing properties of abused drugs in the dopaminergic system via the regulation of activities in the oxytocinergic system. The elements in this paper are summarized as follows : neuroanatomical studies of oxytocinergic innervation and distribution of oxytocin receptors; experiments related to the methamphetamine, cocaine, morphine and ethanol; experiments related to the oxytocin and acupuncture.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.173-182
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• 2018

Recent studies have provided several lines of evidence that peripheral administration of oxytocin induces analgesia in human and rodents. However, the exact underlying mechanism of analgesia still remains elusive. In the present study, we aimed to identify which receptor could mediate the analgesic effect of intraperitoneal injection of oxytocin and its cellular mechanisms in thermal pain behavior. We found that oxytocin-induced analgesia could be reversed by $d(CH_2)_5[Tyr(Me)^2,Dab^5]$ AVP, a vasopressin-1a (V1a) receptor antagonist, but not by $desGly-NH_2-d(CH_2)_5[D-Tyr^2,Thr^4]OVT$, an oxytocin receptor antagonist. Single cell RT-PCR analysis revealed that V1a receptor, compared to oxytocin, vasopressin-1b and vasopressin-2 receptors, was more profoundly expressed in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons and the expression of V1a receptor was predominant in transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1)-expressing DRG neurons. Fura-2 based calcium imaging experiments showed that capsaicin-induced calcium transient was significantly inhibited by oxytocin and that such inhibition was reversed by V1a receptor antagonist. Additionally, whole cell patch clamp recording demonstrated that oxytocin significantly increased potassium conductance via V1a receptor in DRG neurons. Taken together, our findings suggest that analgesic effects produced by peripheral administration of oxytocin were attributable to the activation of V1a receptor, resulting in reduction of TRPV1 activity and enhancement of potassium conductance in DRG neurons.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.161-165
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• 2007

Oxytocin is a neurohypophyseal hormone which has multiple functions in mammals. Mainly, oxytocin regulates milk ejection and has an effect on uterine contraction and is related to maternal behavior. Maternal behavior is believed to be suppressed by stress and facilitated by oxytocin. In the cesarean section, oxytocin may be administrated into uterus to promote uterine involution. The present study aimed to test the effect of oxytocin into uterus on maternal behavior of rats with cesarean section. It was measured the effects on maternal behavior of oxytocin infused into uterus in rats with cesarean section as a stressor. In the first experiment, pup survival rate of between a control group and a group with laparotomy as a stress in natural parturition rats was compared. In the second experiment, survival rate for 2 weeks and maternal pup searching behavior (MPSV) were observed in one cesarean sectioned group without oxytocin and the other cesarean sectioned group with oxytocin. Infanticide was observed in stressed group in the first experiment while a normal maternal behavior was observed in a control one. In the second experiment, MPSV was only observed in a cesarean sectioned group with oxytocin and infanticide was observed in two groups except one rat which is thought to be affected by oxytocin as operated relatively late. This is the first study to show that the administration of oxytocin into uterus in the cesarean section is not involved in the regulation of maternal behavior in rats. In conclusion, this study proves the needs of oxytocin into brain in cesarean section related rats model and further study of maternal behavior list, like MPSV.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.183-192
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• 2002

The present studies were carried out to examine the effects of exogenous oxytocin(OT) on plasma, uterine and placenta of estradiol-17$\beta$, progesterone, prostaglandin F$_2$$_{\alpha}$ (PGF$_2$$_{\alpha}$), Prostaglandin E$_2$(PGE$_2$) and OT receptor concentrations in pregnant rats. Pregnant rats received an injection of exogenous OT on days 14, 16, 18, 20, 22 of pregnancy and day 1 of postpartum. Concentrations of plasma estradiol-17 $\beta$ after OT injection started to increase after day 18 and peaked on day 22 of pregnancy but decreased on day 1 of postpartum. Plasma progesterone concentrations declined gradually from day 18 of pregnancy and decreased more rapidly until postpartum 1 day. Concentrations of estradiol-17$\beta$in uterine tissues after OT injection were sharply increased from day 20 to 22 of pregnancy and progestrone concentrations were peaked on day 16 and decreased rapidly from day 16 to 20 and maintained the same level until day 1 of postpartum. Uterine concentrations of PGF$_2$$_{\alpha}$ and PGE$_2$increased gradually until day 20 and peaked on day 22 of pregnancy but showed a marked decrease on day 1 of postpartum. Concentrations of PGF$_2$$_{\alpha}$ in placental tissues increased rapidly from day 14 of pregnancy and decreased sharply on day 1 of postpartum. Concentrations of PGE$_2$increased gradually after day 14 and peaked on day 20 of pregnancy. The concentration of OT receptor in uterus was significantly elevated from day 20 and rose to maximum on day 22 of pregnancy. These findings show that OT suppress the concentration of progestrone and stimulate productions of estradiol-17 $\beta$, PGF$_2$$_{\alpha}$, PGE$_2$ and oxytocin receptor concentrations in pregnant rats.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.9-12
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• 1977

To study the effects of oxytocin and three parasympathomimetic drugs such as neostigmine, bethanechol, and pilocarpine in reduction of interval between birth and incidence of intrapartum stillborn pigs, 213, sows and gilts which had been kept under the same condition, were randomly allotted to 4 treatment and one control groups. The side reactions of three parasympathomimetic drug were also examined. The results obtained were summarized as followings. 1. Parasympathomimetic-treated groups revealed tendence to shorter interval between birth than oxytocin-treated or control groups. 2. Stillbirth rate per litter was significantly less (p<0.01) in the parasympathomimetic-treated groups than in the oxytocin-treated or control groups. 3. Moderate to severe salivation and vomiting were found in many clams of the pilocarpine-treated and bethanecol-treated groups. The neostigmine-treated group showed nearly no side reaction and neostigmine found to the safest among three parasympathomimetic drugs.

• Journal of mucopolysaccharidosis and rare diseases
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.39-41
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• 2021

Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a rare genetic neurodevelopmental disorder of hyperphagia leading to severe obesity, intellectual deficits, compulsivity, and other behavioral problems. PWS is caused by the inactivation of contiguous genes on chromosome 15q11-q13, which complicates the development of targeted, effective therapeutics. Various preclinical studies have been conducted by developing mouse models that exhibit phenotypes similar to PWS. Oxytocin deficiency in PWS is associated with hyperphagia with impaired satiety and, food-seeking and behavior disorders. Here, we summarize the oxytocin study of ingestion behavior tested in the PWS mouse model and published data from clinical trials that have evaluated treatment effectiveness on ingestion behavior and social dysfunction in patients with PWS.