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Oxytocin and Social Behavior in Laboratory Rodents
Aruťuňanová, Patricie ; Svoboda, Jan (advisor) ; Růžička, Jiří (referee)
Oxytocin is a neuropeptide hormone that is primarily known for its neuromodulatory effects on the female reproductive system. It evolved together with vasopressin from vasotocin and is synthesized in the hypothalamus, specifically in the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei from where it travels through the neurohypophysis into the bloodstream. Its peripheral effects cover a whole range of physiological processes, from inducing labor to easing anxieties. The oxytocin receptor is a G-protein coupled receptor whose agonists and antagonists are abundantly used in obstetrics. Recently, this hormone has been associated with social behavior, for instance, there have been shown its effects on agonistic behavior in laboratory rodents. In these species, it is responsible for the right course of copulation, just as it stimulates parental behavior in them. It also has a positive influence on their social memory. Oxytocin is a promising drug for neuropsychiatric diseases with social deficits.

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