Cited by 250Neuroendocrine regulation and behaviorStress Responses and CortisolNeuropeptides and Animal Physiology

Central Oxytocin Administration Reduces Stress-Induced Corticosterone Release and Anxiety Behavior in Rats1

Windle, R. J., Shanks, N., Lightman, S. L., Ingram, C. D.·1997·Endocrinology

Abstract

Endocrine responses to noise stress and anxiety-related behaviors were measured in groups of ovariectomized, estradiol-treated female rats given central infusions of oxytocin. Control animals receiving isotonic saline showed a large increase in plasma corticosterone concentrations in response to 10 min of white noise. This response to noise stress was significantly and dose dependently decreased by oxytocin administered intracerebroventricularly at 10 or 100 ng/h for 5 days. Oxytocin also significantly decreased rearing behavior during this stress. When a second noise stress was given 3 days after cessation of oxytocin infusion, corticosterone responses did not differ between the control and previously oxytocin-infused animals. Administration of vasopressin had no significant effect on either the corticosterone or behavioral responses to noise stress. Anxiety-related behaviors were measured on the elevated plus-maze. No significant differences were seen in maze exploration between saline- and oxytocin-treated animals when housed and tested in the same environment. However, when animals were mildly stressed by testing in an unfamiliar environment, oxytocin-treated animals showed a higher proportion of open arm entries and spent significantly more time in the open arms of the maze. Thus, oxytocin exerts a central anxiolytic-like effect on both endocrine and behavioral systems and could play a role in moderating behavioral and physiological responses to stress.

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Crossref · 10.1210/endo.138.7.5255

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Authors
Windle, R. J., Shanks, N., Lightman, S. L., & Ingram, C. D.
Affiliations
Bristol Royal Infirmary (GB)
Corresponding author
Windle, R. J.
Venue
Endocrinology
Published
1997-07
Volume
138
Issue
7
Pages
2829-2834
ISSN
  • 0013-7227 (ISSN-L)
  • 1945-7170
OpenAlex
W4248942370
Cited by
170
References
0
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 6 · 2014: 4 · 2013: 8 · 2012: 12
FWCI
8.54
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
Endocrinology (publishedVersion)
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, corticosterone, stress response, anxiety, noise stress, vasopressin, anxiolytic effects, elevated plus maze, rearing behavior, estradiol, ovariectomy, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, central nervous system

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