Neuroendocrine mechanisms involved in the physiological effects caused by skin-to-skin contact–With a particular focus on the oxytocinergic system
Abstract
The positive clinical effects caused by skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth or after repeated skin-to-skin contact of premature infants (kangaroo care) or fullterm infants are well documented in the literature. However, information regarding the physiological mechanisms mediating these effects are surprisingly scarce and incomplete. In this article the oxytocinergic system and the cutaneous sensory pathways by which the oxytocinergic system is activated in response to skin-to-skin contact are presented in more detail. In addition, we discuss how the effects of skin-to-skin treatment can be attributed to different aspects of the effect spectrum of the oxytocinergic or calm and connection system. The structure of the oxytocinergic system, comprising the peripheral (circulating, hormonal) and the central (neurotransmitter) components, as well as, the pathways and mechanisms by which these functions are coordinated are described. Also the various effects induced by the oxytocinergic system (the calm and connection system) are reviewed. The sensory pathways, which include visual, auditory, olfactory and tactile stimuli, given and received by both mother and newborn and which activate the oxytocinergic system in response to skin-to-skin contact, are reviewed. A special emphasis is placed on the role of cutaneous sensory nerves and their activation by touch, light pressure and in particular warmth. The important role of the rise and the pulsatility of maternal temperature i…
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Together with caregiver warmth and odor, positive touch induces the release of oxytocin, which is particularly evident in both members of the mother-infant dyad immediately after birth.
“Together with caregiver warmth and odor, positive touch induces the release of oxytocin (Uvnäs-Moberg et al., 1987), which is particularly evident in both members of the mother-infant dyad immediately after birth (Uvnäs-Moberg et al., 2015; Moberg et al., 2020).”
From The evolved nest, oxytocin functioning, and prosocial development (2023) · cites this paper as Moberg et al. (2020)
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The evolved nest, oxytocin functioning, and prosocial development
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“, 1987), which is particularly evident in both members of the mother-infant dyad immediately after birth (Uvnäs-Moberg et al., 2015; Moberg et al., 2020).”
Background
- Authors
- Moberg, K. U., Handlin, L., & Petersson, M.
- Affiliations
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SE)
- University of Skövde (SE)
- Karolinska Institutet (SE)
- Corresponding author
- Petersson, Maria
- Venue
- Infant Behavior and Development
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2020-11
- Volume
- 61
- Pages
- 101482
- ISSN
- 0163-6383 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W3085516940
- Cited by
- 125
- References
- 11
- Citations by year
- 2026: 15 · 2025: 24 · 2024: 26 · 2023: 28 · 2022: 16 · 2021: 13 · 2020: 3
- FWCI
- 2.43
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Infant Behavior and Development (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › Pharmacy › Infant Health and Development
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Infant Development and Preterm Care
- Keywords
- skin-to-skin contact, kangaroo mother care, oxytocin, oxytocinergic system, cutaneous sensory nerves, maternal warmth, maternal temperature, mother-infant interaction, social interaction, stress reduction, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, parasympathetic nervous system, heart rate variability, gastrointestinal endocrine system, preterm infants, neonates, trust and safety, evolutionary perspective
- MeSH terms
- Emotions, Female, Humans, Infant, Newborn, Infant, Premature, Mother-Child Relations, Mothers, Neurosecretory Systems, Oxytocin, Touch, Touch Perception
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