Oxytocin

Oxytocin (α-Hypophamine; Oxytocic hormone) is a pleiotropic, hypothalamic peptide known for facilitating parturition, lactation, and prosocial behaviors. Oxytocin can function as a stress-coping molecule with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and protective effects especially in the face of adversity or trauma^[1][2]. In Vivo:During the LMA task, rat core body temperature are modestly decreased. Oxytocin (subcutaneous injection; 0.1 mg/kg-0.3 mg/kg; single dose) produces significantly greater hypothermia (at 0.3 mg/kg) than either saline or the two lower doses of oxytocin. Oxytocin at 0.3 mg/kg produces a significantly greater decrease in temperature than vehicle between 15-60 min post injection, whereas 0.1 mg/kg slightly decreases temperature at the 30 min time point only^[1].
Oxytocin (0.1 mg/kg) engages in significantly more body sniffing and ano-genital sniffing compared with saline controls. It also increases the total time spent in social interaction (71.6±4.3 s), compared to those receiving vehicle (56.9±4.1 s)^[1].