Neonatal administration of oxytocin increases novelty-induced grooming in the adult rat.
Three-day-old Sprague-Dawley rat pups were intracisternally infused with a single dose of oxytocin (1 microgram/2 microliters) or saline, or were untreated. As adults, these animals were observed for novelty-induced grooming, analgesia measured by the hot-plate test, and behavior in the open field. Oxytocin treatment during infancy resulted in an elevation of novelty-induced grooming when compared to saline and untreated animals. There were no significant oxytocin treatment effects on analgesia response or open-field behaviors. Oxytocin given early in life may have permanent effects on certain behavioral responses to stress.
Noonan
L R
LR
Biological Sciences Research Center, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill 27599.
Continella
G
G
Pedersen
C A
CA
D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn / Q000254:growth & development*; D005260:Female; D006120:Grooming / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010146:Pain / Q000503:physiopathology; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012684:Sensory Thresholds
D010121:Oxytocin