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2008•NeuroendocrinologyRequires access

Oxytocin Unlike Vasopressin Is a Stress Hormone in the Rat

Rudolf Ernst Lang, Jürgen W.E. Heil, Detlev Ganten, Klaus Hermann, Thomas Unger, Wolfgang Rascher

Open publisher page 303 citations

Abstract

The functions of oxytocin in the female are thought to be confined to the processes of milk ejection and parturition. In this study the role of oxytocin in the body's response to stressful stimuli has been examined. Physical immobilization of rats and forced swimming caused large increases in the secretion of the hormone, whereas vasopressin levels remained unchanged. These findings classify oxytocin, in contrast to vasopressin, as a so-called 'stress hormone' and suggest its importance in processes other than those related to reproduction.

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What this paper is about

The functions of oxytocin in the female are thought to be confined to the processes of milk ejection and parturition. In this study the role of oxytocin in the body's response to stressful stimuli has been examined. Physical immobilization of rats and forced swimming caused large increases in the secretion of the hormone, whereas vasopressin levels remained unchanged. These findings classify oxytocin, in contrast to vasopressin, as a so-called 'stress hormone' and suggest its importance in processes other than those related to reproduction.

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OpenAlex reports 303 citations for this work. Citation counts describe recorded attention and do not establish research quality.

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Available abstract

The functions of oxytocin in the female are thought to be confined to the processes of milk ejection and parturition. In this study the role of oxytocin in the body's response to stressful stimuli has been examined. Physical immobilization of rats and forced swimming caused large increases in the secretion of the hormone, whereas vasopressin levels remained unchanged. These findings classify oxytocin, in contrast to vasopressin, as a so-called 'stress hormone' and suggest its importance in processes other than those related to reproduction.

Key concepts: Oxytocin, Vasopressin, Endocrinology, Internal medicine, Hormone, Neuropeptide, Peptide hormone, Biology

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