Synergizing the effect of afferent fibre stimulation with pharmacological interventions is a desirable goal to trigger spinal locomotor activity, especially after injury. Thus, to better understand the mechanisms to optimize this process, we studied the role of the neuropeptide oxytocin (previously shown to stimulate locomotor networks) on network and motoneuron properties using the isolated ne...

The functional groups in the oxytocin molecule consist, from a chemical standpoint, of a primary amino, a phenolic hydroxyl, three carboxamide groups, and a disulfide linkage. Studies on the relation of structure to biological activity in this and other laboratories have been concerned in part with the significance of these functional groups to the production of a biological response at the sit...

Oxytocin-in-Uniject satisfied the standards of its temperature-time indicator (TTI) in severe home storage conditions, although that required resupply every 30 days-a logistically onerous programmatic standard. Possible advances include: (1) incorporating TTIs with packaged batches of less expensive and more widely used conventional vials of oxytocin; (2) using TTIs calibrated more closely to t...

Oxytocin, a nine amino acid peptide, is highly conserved in placental mammals, including humans. Oxytocin has a physiological role in parturition and parenteral administration of the synthetic peptide is used to induce labor and control postpartum hemorrhage. Endogenous levels of oxytocin before labor are ∼20 pg/mL, but pharmacological administration of the peptide can achieve levels of 110 pg/...

In this study, we determined the projections of oxytocin-containing neurons of the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) to phrenic nuclei and to the rostral ventrolateral medullary (RVLM) region known to be involved in respiratory rhythm generation. Studies were also designed to determine oxytocin receptor expression within the RVLM, and the physiological effects of their activation on respiratory dri...

In this study, we determined the projections of oxytocin-containing neurons of the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) to phrenic nuclei and to the rostral ventrolateral medullary (RVLM) region, which is known to be involved in respiratory rhythm generation. Studies were also designed to determine oxytocin-receptor expression within the RVLM and the physiological effects of their activation on respir...

Oxytocin is a neuropeptide important for social behaviors such as maternal care and parent-infant bonding. It is believed that oxytocin receptor signaling in the brain is critical for these behaviors, but it is unknown precisely when and where oxytocin receptors are expressed or which neural circuits are directly sensitive to oxytocin. To overcome this challenge, we generated specific antibodie...

Variations in maternal behavior among lactating rats associate with differences in estrogen-oxytocin interactions in the medial preoptic area (mPOA) and in dopamine levels in the nucleus accumbens (nAcc). Thus, stable, individual differences in pup licking/grooming (LG) are abolished by oxytocin receptor blockade or treatments that eliminate differences in the nAcc dopamine signal. We provide n...

LEARNING OBJECTIVES After participating in this educational activity, the physician should be better able to 1. Identify the biological role of oxytocin in forming attachments. 2. Evaluate the relationship between various neuropsychiatric disorders and oxytocin. 3. Identify clinical implications of using oxytocin to treat various neuropsychiatric disorders. Oxytocin is a peptide hormone integra...

Background: Neonatal Jaundice is a common problem that occurs in most preterm and term neonates. This systematic review aimed to examine the evidence for the effects of oxytocin in labor on neonatal jaundice. Materials and Methods: In this systematic review study, English databases including PubMed, Google Scholar, Embase, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Web of Sciences, and Persian databases includi...