Brain oxytocin inhibits the (re)activity of the hypothalamo–pituitary–adrenal axis in male rats: involvement of hypothalamic and limbic brain regions
Abstract
In response to various stressors, oxytocin is released not only into blood, but also within hypothalamic and extrahypothalamic limbic brain regions. Here, we describe the involvement of intracerebrally released oxytocin in the regulation of the activity of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis by infusion of the oxytocin receptor antagonist (des Gly-NH(2) d(CH(2))(5) [Tyr(Me)(2), Thr(4)] OVT; pH 7.4; Dr. M. Manning, Toledo, OH, USA) either into the lateral cerebral ventricle (icv[0.75 microg/5 microl,]) or via retrodialysis (10 microg/ml, 3.3 microl/min, 15 min) into the hypothalamic paraventricular nuclei (PVN), the medio-lateral septum or the amygdala. Male Wistar rats fitted with a chronic jugular vein catheter and an icv guide cannula or a microdialysis probe targeting the respective brain region 4 days prior to the experiment were blood sampled under basal as well as stressful conditions. Rats were exposed to the elevated platform (emotional stressor) and/or to forced swimming (combined physical and emotional stressor). Blockade of the receptor-mediated action of endogenous oxytocin within the PVN resulted in an enhanced basal secretion of ACTH whereas, in response to forced swimming, ACTH secretion was rather reduced, indicating a tonic inhibitory effect of OXT on basal HPA axis activity, but a potentiating action under conditions of stress. Within the medio-lateral septum, antagonist treatment did not alter basal ACTH secretion, but significantly disinhibited AC…
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When delivered to the PVN, OT decreases HPA axis gain, as shown by decreased CORT and ACTH levels.
“Although OT can act at the pituitary to enhance CRH action, when delivered to the PVN, OT decreased HPA axis gain, as shown by decreased CORT and ACTH levels (Neumann, Krömer, Toschi, & Ebner, 2000; Windle et al., 2004; Windle, Shanks, Lightman, & Ingram, 1997).”
From Hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal and hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axes: sex differences in regulation of stress responsivity (2017) · cites this paper as Neumann, Krömer, Toschi, & Ebner, 2000
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- Authors
- Neumann, I. D., Krömer, S. A., Toschi, N., & Ebner, K.
- Affiliations
- Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry (DE)
- Max Planck Society (DE)
- Corresponding author
- Neumann, Inga D
- Venue
- Regulatory Peptides
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2000-12
- Volume
- 96
- Issue
- 1-2
- Pages
- 31-38
- ISSN
- 0167-0115 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W1997454271
- Cited by
- 285
- References
- 12
- Citations by year
- 2026: 6 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 10 · 2021: 20 · 2020: 12 · 2019: 13 · 2018: 21 · 2017: 20 · 2016: 12 · 2015: 5 · 2014: 12 · 2013: 21 · 2012: 9
- FWCI
- 9.26
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Regulatory Peptides (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Cineca Institutional Research Information System (Tor Vergata University) (submittedVersion)
- Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics (submittedVersion)
- MPG.PuRe (Max Planck Society) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
- Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Behavioral Neuroscience › Stress Responses and Cortisol
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuropeptides and Animal Physiology
- Keywords
- oxytocin, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, ACTH secretion, oxytocin receptor antagonist, paraventricular nucleus, medial septum, amygdala, stress response, forced swim test, elevated platforms, limbic system
- MeSH terms
- Adrenocorticotropic Hormone, Animals, Brain Chemistry, Hormone Antagonists, Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System, Male, Ornipressin, Oxytocin, Pituitary-Adrenal System, Stress, Physiological, Swimming, Rats, Wistar, Receptors, Oxytocin, Rats
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