Sedative effects of intranasal oxytocin in rabbits and rhesus monkeys

Physiol Res. 2016 Dec 21;65(Suppl 4):S473-S480. doi: 10.33549/physiolres.933513.

Abstract

Oxytocin is a hormone therapeutically used mainly for its peripheral effects during pregnancy in the uterus and breasts. However, additional central effects, i.e. anxiolytic effect, decreased level of social stress and increased empathy have been also observed. Hence, the aim of our study was to evaluate if nasal oxytocin can be used as anxiolytic substance in rhesus monkeys (n=20) and rabbits (n=20). Simultaneously, mean arterial blood pressure, arterial oxygen saturation of hemoglobin and pulse rate were monitored in all the evaluated animals. While rabbits lost righting reflex, monkeys developed a dose-dependent loss of aggressiveness and/or anxiety as evaluated by behavioral methods (aggressive behavior was classified as non-sedated - sedated - strongly sedated).

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Intranasal
  • Aggression / drug effects*
  • Aggression / physiology
  • Animals
  • Anti-Anxiety Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Blood Pressure / drug effects
  • Blood Pressure / physiology
  • Female
  • Heart Rate / drug effects
  • Heart Rate / physiology
  • Hypnotics and Sedatives / administration & dosage*
  • Macaca mulatta
  • Male
  • Oxytocin / administration & dosage*
  • Rabbits
  • Random Allocation

Substances

  • Anti-Anxiety Agents
  • Hypnotics and Sedatives
  • Oxytocin