Mild sustained effects of neonatal vasopressin and oxytocin treatment on brain growth and behavior of the rat
Abstract
The lasting effects of a 9-day neonatal exposure to vasopressin and oxytocin were examined in the rat to discover if peptide administration results in organizational effects. When tested in young adulthood, brain growth, not body growth, appeared to be impaired. Basal and challenge tests of urine production, carried out to see the development of the hormonal antidiuretic function of vasopressin, revealed no lasting changes, and therefore did not confirm earlier findings of an induced mild polyurea. Behavioral testing of learning by making use of a one-trail step-through paradigm with a 24-h retention trial--a test that is sensitive to vasopressin--did not show impairments. Open field tests, however, showed enhanced emotionality in the vasopressin-treated females, as well as an initially increased ambulation in the males, and increased grooming in both sexes, the latter also having been reported to be induced by vasopressin administration in the septal areas. Oxytocin treatment did not produce lasting changes. Our conclusion, therefore, is that peripherally circulating vasopressin can affect the organizational development of the rat brain. It remains to be established whether this is an effect obtained through changes in the general peripheral physiology or a reflection of plasticity phenomena at the level of central vasopressin neurotransmission.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Claims the paper makes
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
Boer and colleagues failed to replicate the finding that neonatal oxytocin increases novelty-induced grooming in an open-field test.
“However, when a study by Boer and colleagues failed to replicate the aforementioned findings in an open-field test (12), investigations into the organizational effects of Oxt largely fell by the wayside.”
From Oxytocin during Development: Possible Organizational Effects on Behavior (2015) · cites this paper as [12]
Cites
Statistical principles in experimental design.
Winer, B. J. (1962) · McGraw-Hill Book Company · doi:10.1037/11774-000 · Cited by 27,137 · see citing works
Statistical Principles in Experimental Design
Myers, J. L., & Winer, B. J. (1964) · The American Journal of Psychology · doi:10.2307/1419292 · Cited by 8,111 · see citing works
The open-field test: A critical review.
WALSH, R. N., & Cummins, R. A. (1976) · Psychological Bulletin · doi:10.1037/0033-2909.83.3.482 · Cited by 2,389 · see citing works
Tests for emotionality in rats and mice: A review
Archer, J. (1973) · Animal Behaviour · doi:10.1016/s0003-3472(73)80065-x · Cited by 1,577 · see citing works
Vasopressin : principles and properties
Gash, D. M., & Boer, G. J. (1987) · Plenum Press eBooks · Cited by 250 · see citing works
Self-citationMemory deficit in rats with hereditary diabetes insipidus
de Wied, D., Bohus, B., & Greidanus, T. B. V. W. (1975) · Brain Research · doi:10.1016/0006-8993(75)91022-7 · Cited by 223 · see citing works
DNA Metabolism and Cell Proliferation
Altman, J. (1969) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-1-4899-7321-4_8 · Cited by 151 · see citing works
Oxytocin potently enhances novelty-induced grooming behavior in the rat
Drago, F., Pedersen, C. A., Caldwell, J. D., & Prange, A. J. (1986) · Brain Research · doi:10.1016/0006-8993(86)90573-1 · Cited by 134 · see citing works
Ontogeny of oxytocin receptors in rat forebrain: A quantitative study
Shapiro, L. E., & Insel, T. R. (1989) · Synapse · doi:10.1002/syn.890040312 · Cited by 131 · see citing works
Tribollet, E., Goumaz, M., Raggenbass, M., Dubois‐Dauphin, M., & Dreifuss, J. J. (1991) · Developmental Brain Research · doi:10.1016/0165-3806(91)90232-8 · Cited by 124 · see citing works
Vasopressin in the septal area of the golden hamster controls scent marking and grooming
Irvin, R. W., Szot, P., Dorsa, D. M., Potegal, M., & Ferris, C. F. (1990) · Physiology & Behavior · doi:10.1016/0031-9384(90)90213-n · Cited by 105 · see citing works
Translent expression of somatostatin receptors in the rat cerebellum during development
Gonzalez, B. J., Leroux, P., Laquerrière, A., Coy, D. H., Bodénant, C., & Vaudry, H. (1988) · Developmental Brain Research · doi:10.1016/0165-3806(88)90018-1 · Cited by 84 · see citing works
Kruisbrink, J., Mirmiran, M., van der Woude, T. P., & Boer, G. J. (1987) · Brain Research · doi:10.1016/0006-8993(87)90570-1 · Cited by 69 · see citing works
Self-citationCardiovascular Actions of Vasopressin
Cowley, A. W., & Liard, J.-F. (1987) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-1-4615-8129-1_10 · Cited by 66 · see citing works
Impaired brain development of the diabetes insipidus Brattleboro rat
Boer, G. J., Rheenen-Verberg, C. M. F. V., & Uylings, H. B. M. (1982) · Developmental Brain Research · doi:10.1016/0165-3806(82)90054-2 · Cited by 65 · see citing works
Self-citationOntogenetic changes in vasopressin binding site distribution in rat brain: An autoradiographic study
Petracca, F. M., Baskin, D. G., Díaz, J., & Dorsa, D. M. (1986) · Developmental Brain Research · doi:10.1016/0165-3806(86)90065-9 · Cited by 60 · see citing works
Sex, age and shock-intensity as factors in passive avoidance
van Oyen, H. G., van de Poll, N. E., & de Bruin, J. P. C. (1979) · Physiology & Behavior · doi:10.1016/0031-9384(79)90200-2 · Cited by 59 · see citing works
Vasopressin and brain development: Studies using the Brattleboro rat
Boer, G. J. (1985) · Peptides · doi:10.1016/0196-9781(85)90011-7 · Cited by 59 · see citing works
Self-citationSnijdewint, F. G. M., van Leeuwen, F. W. B., & Gj, B. (1989) · PubMed · Cited by 56 · see citing works
Bluthé, R.-M., & Dantzer, R. (1992) · Brain Research · doi:10.1016/0006-8993(92)90480-w · Cited by 47 · see citing works
Vasopressin promotes neurite growth in cultured embryonic neurons
Brinton, R. D., & Gruener, R. (1987) · Synapse · doi:10.1002/syn.890010406 · Cited by 43 · see citing works
Vasopressin administration to neonatal rats reduces antidiuretic response in adult kidneys
Handelmann, G. E., Russell, J. T., Gainer, H., Zerbe, R. L., & Bayorh, M. A. (1983) · Peptides · doi:10.1016/0196-9781(83)90075-x · Cited by 43 · see citing works
Development of Vasopressin Systems and Their Functions
Boer, G. J. (1987) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-1-4615-8129-1_3 · Cited by 41 · see citing works
Self-citationNeonatal exposure to vasopressin decreases vasopressin binding sites in the adult kidney
Handelmann, G. E., & Sayson, S. C. (1984) · Peptides · doi:10.1016/0196-9781(84)90191-8 · Cited by 35 · see citing works
Aulich, D. (1976) · Behavioural Processes · doi:10.1016/0376-6357(76)90035-8 · Cited by 35 · see citing works
Effects of nonapeptide antagonists on oxytocin- and arginine-vasopressin-induced analgesia in mice
Caldwell, J. D., Mason, G., Stanley, D. A., Jerdack, G. R., Hruby, V. J., Hill, P. S., Prange, A. J., & Pedersen, C. A. (1987) · Regulatory Peptides · doi:10.1016/0167-0115(87)90011-5 · Cited by 33 · see citing works
Amplification of Hormone Receptors by Neonatal Oxytocin and Vasopressin Treatment
Csaba, G., Rónai, A. Z., Lszló, V., Darvas, Z., & Berzétei, I. P. (1980) · Hormone and Metabolic Research · doi:10.1055/s-2007-996189 · Cited by 31 · see citing works
Wright, W. A., & Kutscher, C. L. (1977) · Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior · doi:10.1016/0091-3057(77)90109-5 · Cited by 28 · see citing works
Vasopressin and Animal Behavior
Gash, D. M., Herman, J. P., & Thomas, G. J. (1987) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-1-4615-8129-1_14 · Cited by 27 · see citing works
Testosterone treatment restores reduced vasopressin-binding sites in the kidney of the ageing rat
Herzberg, N. H., Goudsmit, E., Kruisbrink, J., et al. (1989) · Journal of Endocrinology · doi:10.1677/joe.0.1230059 · Cited by 26 · see citing works
Hp, O., Swaab, D. F., & Gj, B. (1985) · PubMed · Cited by 25 · see citing works
Neonatal administration of oxytocin increases novelty-induced grooming in the adult rat
Noonan, L. R., Continella, G., & Pedersen, C. A. (1989) · Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior · doi:10.1016/0091-3057(89)90386-9 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
Hypothermia induced by centrally administered vasopressin in ratsA structure-activity study
Meisenberg, G., & Simmons, W. H. (1984) · Neuropharmacology · doi:10.1016/0028-3908(84)90239-9 · Cited by 23 · see citing works
Prenatal exposure to AVP or caffeine but not oxytocin alters learning in female rats
Swenson, R. R., Beckwith, B. E., Lamberty, K. J., et al. (1990) · Peptides · doi:10.1016/0196-9781(90)90011-s · Cited by 23 · see citing works
Gj, B., Kragten, R., Kruisbrink, J., et al. (1984) · PubMed · Cited by 23 · see citing works
Prenatal administration of arginine vasopressin impairs memory retrieval in adult rats
Tinius, T. P., Beckwith, B. E., Preussler, D. W., et al. (1987) · Peptides · doi:10.1016/0196-9781(87)90015-5 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
Chen, X.-F., Chen, Z.-F., Liu, R., & Du, Y.-C. (1988) · Peptides · doi:10.1016/0196-9781(88)90111-8 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
Disorders of cell acquisition in the brain of rats deficient in vasopressin (Brattleboro mutant)
Boer, G. J., & PATEL, A. (1983) · Neurochemistry International · doi:10.1016/0197-0186(83)90076-1 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
Self-citationSnijdewint, F. G. M., Boer, G. J., & Swaab, D. F. (2009) · Biology of the Neonate · doi:10.1159/000242805 · Cited by 17 · see citing works
Self-citationNeuropeptides and functional neuroteratology
Boer, G. J., Snijdewint, F. G. M., & Swaab, D. F. (1988) · Progress in brain research · doi:10.1016/s0079-6123(08)60508-7 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
Self-citationMeyerson, B. J., Höglund, U., Johansson, C., Blomqvist, A. G., & Ericson, H. (1988) · Brain Research · doi:10.1016/0006-8993(88)90864-5 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
Snijdewint, F. G. M., Boer, G. J., & Swaab, D. F. (1985) · Developmental Brain Research · doi:10.1016/0165-3806(85)90178-6 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
Self-citationLong-term hyperalgesia in rats induced by neonatal administration of vasopressin antiserum
Moratalla, R., Sánchez‐Franco, F., & Río, J. D. (1986) · Life Sciences · doi:10.1016/0024-3205(86)90002-0 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
Moratalla, R., Borrell, J. I., Sánchez‐Franco, F., & Rı́o, J. D. (1987) · Behavioural Brain Research · doi:10.1016/0166-4328(87)90023-4 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Szot, P., Myers, K., & Dorsa, D. M. (1992) · Peptides · doi:10.1016/0196-9781(92)90126-n · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Vasopressin and Oxytocin Receptors and the Developing Brain
Boer, G. J. (1993) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-94-011-1540-7_12 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Self-citationLearning Performance of Rats after Pre- and Postnatal Application of Arginine-Vasopressin
Ermisch, A., Koch, M., & Barth, T. (2015) · Monographs in clinical neuroscience/Frontiers of neurology and neuroscience/Monographs in neural sciences · doi:10.1159/000412743 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Snijdewint, F. G. M., & Boer, G. J. (1986) · PubMed · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Self-citationBoer, G. J., Snijdewint, F. G. M., Licht, R., et al. (1993) · Neuroscience Letters · doi:10.1016/0304-3940(93)90428-n · Cited by 7 · see citing works
Self-citationEffects of progesterone on open field behavior of food deprived ovariectomized female rats
Einsbroek, R. P. W., van Haaren, F., & van de Poll, N. E. (1988) · Physiology & Behavior · doi:10.1016/0031-9384(88)90376-9 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Kruisbrink, J., van Heerikhuize, J. J., & Boer, G. J. (1988) · Journal of Endocrinology · doi:10.1677/joe.0.1170207 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Self-citation
Flagged first, then by citations
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Neuroendocrine perspectives on social attachment and love
Sue Carter, C. (1998) · Psychoneuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/s0306-4530(98)00055-9 · Cited by 1,425 · see citing works
Sex differences in oxytocin and vasopressin: Implications for autism spectrum disorders?
CARTER, C. (2007) · Behavioural Brain Research · doi:10.1016/j.bbr.2006.08.025 · Cited by 432 · see citing works
Developmental consequences of oxytocin
Carter, C. S. (2003) · Physiology & Behavior · doi:10.1016/s0031-9384(03)00151-3 · Cited by 367 · see citing works
CUSHING, B., & KRAMER, K. (2005) · Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews · doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2005.04.001 · Cited by 209 · see citing works
Hormonal mechanisms of cooperative behaviour
Soares, M. C., Bshary, R., Fusani, L., Goymann, W., Hau, M., Hirschenhauser, K., & Oliveira, R. F. (2010) · Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences · doi:10.1098/rstb.2010.0151 · Cited by 173 · see citing works
Bales, K. L., & Carter, C. S. (2003) · Behavioral Neuroscience · doi:10.1037/0735-7044.117.4.854 · Cited by 155 · see citing works
The effects of peptides on partner preference formation are predicted by habitat in prairie voles
Cushing, B. S., Martin, J. O., Young, L. J., & Carter, C. S. (2001) · Hormones and Behavior · doi:10.1006/hbeh.2000.1633 · Cited by 99 · see citing works
Oxytocin during Development: Possible Organizational Effects on Behavior
Miller, T. V., & Caldwell, H. K. (2015) · Frontiers in Endocrinology · doi:10.3389/fendo.2015.00076 · Cited by 79 · see citing works
The organizational effects of oxytocin and vasopressin: Behavioral implications
Cushing, B. S. (2013) · Oxytocin, Vasopressin and Related Peptides in the Regulation of Behavior · doi:10.1017/cbo9781139017855.006 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
- Authors
- Boer, G. J., Quak, J., de Vries, M. C., & Heinsbroek, R. P. W.
- Corresponding author
- Boer, Gerard J.
- Venue
- Peptides
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 1994-01
- Volume
- 15
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 229-236
- ISSN
- 0196-9781 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W1994485067
- Cited by
- 27
- References
- 51
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 2 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 1
- FWCI
- 1.96
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Peptides (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuropeptides and Animal Physiology
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Hypothalamic control of reproductive hormones
- Keywords
- brain growth, brain development, organizational effects, polyuria, learning, emotionality, grooming, ambulation, sex differences
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Animals, Newborn, Behavior, Animal, Body Weight, Brain, Eye, Female, Learning, Male, Oxytocin, Retention, Psychology, Sex Characteristics, Urine, Vasopressins, Rats, Wistar, Rats
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review