Cited by 147Human-Animal Interaction StudiesNeuroendocrine regulation and behaviorAnimal Behavior and Welfare Studies

Urinary oxytocin as a noninvasive biomarker of positive emotion in dogs

Mitsui, Shohei, Yamamoto, Mariko, Nagasawa, Miho, Mogi, Kazutaka, Kikusui, Takefumi, Ohtani, Nobuyo, Ohta, Mitsuaki·2011·Hormones and Behavior

Abstract

A reliable assay based on physiological parameters that does not require subjective input from the owners is required to assess positive emotions in dogs. In addition, when viewed from an animal welfare perspective, physiological parameters should be collected in a noninvasive manner. Oxytocin (OT) is a biomarker that may be associated with a calm, relaxed state, and positive emotion. We measured the time-lapse in the concentration of plasma OT relative to urinary OT using a radioimmunoassay with sufficient sensitivity and low variability, and examined the relationship between OT and cortisol. Six dogs were injected with exogenous OT intravenously to increase the blood OT concentration. As a result, the highest concentration of urinary OT occurred 1h after the injection, although there was little change in urinary cortisol. Moreover, to evaluate the influence of stimuli on urinary OT and cortisol, we provided three stimuli of eating food, exercising and stroking, all of which were assumed to inspire a positive emotion in dogs, and significantly increased urinary OT concentrations. Our findings indicate that urinary OT might be useful as a noninvasive and objective biomarker of positive emotion in dogs.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2011.05.012

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Authors
Mitsui, S., Yamamoto, M., Nagasawa, M., Mogi, K., Kikusui, T., Ohtani, N., & Ohta, M.
Affiliations
Azabu University (JP)
Corresponding author
Mitsui, Shohei
Venue
Hormones and Behavior
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2011-08
Volume
60
Issue
3
Pages
239-243
ISSN
0018-506X (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2094877309
Cited by
147
References
45
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 15 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 13 · 2021: 24 · 2020: 14 · 2019: 11 · 2018: 10 · 2017: 13 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 6 · 2014: 12 · 2013: 2 · 2012: 3
FWCI
3.38
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Hormones and Behavior (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
Promotion and Mutual Aid Corporation for Private Schools of Japan
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Human-Animal Interaction Studies
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
  • Health Sciences › Veterinary › Small Animals › Animal Behavior and Welfare Studies
Keywords
positive emotions, dogs, non-invasive biomarkers, plasma oxytocin, cortisol, animal welfare, food reward, physical activity, stroking
MeSH terms
Animals, Behavior, Animal, Dogs, Eating, Emotions, Hydrocortisone, Male, Massage, Oxytocin, Physical Conditioning, Animal, Biomarkers

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