Neonatal administration of oxytocin increases novelty-induced grooming in the adult rat

Abstract

Three-day-old Sprague-Dawley rat pups were intracisternally infused with a single dose of oxytocin (1 μg/2 μl) or saline, or were untreated. As adults, these animals were observed for novelty-induced grooming, analgesia measured by the hot-plate test, and behavior in the open field. Oxytocin treatment during infancy resulted in an elevation of novelty-induced grooming when compared to saline and untreated animals. There were no significant oxytoxin treatment effects on analgesia response or open-field behaviors. Oxytocin given early in life may have permanent effects on certain behavioral responses to stress.