Source Paper
Oxytocin Attenuates Stress-Induced c-<i>fos</i>mRNA Expression in Specific Forebrain Regions Associated with Modulation of Hypothalamo–Pituitary–Adrenal Activity
Richard J. Windle, Yvonne M. Kershaw, Nola Shanks, Susan A. Wood, Stafford L. Lightman et al.
Journal of Neuroscience • 2004
Intracerebroventricular Oxytocin/Vasopressin Infusion
Objective: To identify forebrain target sites through which oxytocin mediates anti-stress effects by examining neuronal activation patterns and HPA axis responses following intracerebroventricular oxytocin or vasopressin infusion and restraint stress
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Equipment2
Materials3
Software1
Not specified • Not mentioned
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Protocol Steps
Animal preparation
Ovariectomized rats were treated with estradiol prior to experimental procedures
Note: Female rats were ovariectomized and estradiol-treated
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“Ovariectomized, estradiol-treated rats received intracerebroventricular infusions”
Intracerebroventricular infusion
Rats received intracerebroventricular infusions of either oxytocin at two doses or vasopressin
Note: Two oxytocin doses tested (1 and 10 ng/hr) and one vasopressin dose (10 ng/hr)
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“received intracerebroventricular infusions of oxytocin (1 or 10 ng/hr) or vasopressin (10 ng/hr)”
Restraint stress application
Animals were subjected to restraint stress while receiving infusions
Note: Stress was applied during active infusion period
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“30 min restraint”
Neuronal activation mapping
Patterns of neuronal activation were determined by semiquantitative mapping of c-fos mRNA expression in forebrain regions
Note: Examined multiple forebrain regions including PVN, paraventricular thalamic nucleus, habenula, medial amygdala, ventrolateral septum, hippocampus, and piriform/endopiriform cortices
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“patterns of neuronal activation after restraint stress were determined by semiquantitative mapping of c-fos mRNA expression”
Hormone measurement
ACTH and corticosterone levels were measured to assess HPA axis responses
Note: Measured in response to restraint stress with and without peptide infusion
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“Oxytocin administration significantly attenuated the release of ACTH and corticosterone”
Gene expression analysis
Corticotropin-releasing factor mRNA expression was measured in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus
Note: Assessed in response to restraint stress
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“increase in corticotropin-releasing factor mRNA expression in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) in response to 30 min restraint”