An increase in startle response in rats administered oxytocin.
Twenty-four male albino Wistar rats were allocated to four groups and given either 23.2, 11.6 or 5.8 IU OXT/kg or vehicle (0.9% saline). A significant increase in startle response was observed in the 11.6 and 5.8 IU OXT/kg groups when compared to vehicle. Our results further support the suggestion that OXT is a "stress hormone" by implicating this peptide with increased emotionality/reactivity during a stressful experience.
D015062:11-Hydroxycorticosteroids / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D008297:Male; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013216:Reflex, Startle / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000503:physiopathology
D015062:11-Hydroxycorticosteroids; D010121:Oxytocin