Hormone Oxytocin Research Articles

Impact of Oxytocin Massage for Postpartum Mothers on Breast Milk Production

Introduction Mother's Milk is a divine gift explained in the Quran, Surah Lukman verse 14, which recommends mothers to breastfeed their children for a full two years. Breast milk is considered the best source of nutrition for infants, especially within the age range of 0–6 months. However, not all breastfeeding mothers can easily produce breast milk directly, as the process involves a complex interaction influenced by the hormone oxytocin. This study aims to assess the impact of applying oxytocin massage on breast milk production in postpartum mothers in the Working Area of Waimital Community Health Center, Kairatu District, West Seram Regency. The research design used is quasi-experimental, with sample selection using non-probability sampling involving 20 respondents. The research instrument used a questionnaire, and data analysis was conducted using the Mann-Whitney test and Wilcoxon test to evaluate changes before and after the intervention for each variable. The bivariate analysis results based on the treatment group variable showed the highest P-value at 0.008 and the lowest at 0.003 (< 0.05), while in the control group, the highest P-value was 0.157 and the lowest was 0.083 (< 0.05). Thus, it can be concluded that the application of oxytocin massage has a highly significant effect on breast milk production in postpartum mothers in the treatment group.

Adolescent Reproductive Health: The Role Of Sex Education In Raising Awareness

The first stage of labor often takes a long time and causes discomfort for the mother, so methods are needed to accelerate it. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of microcontroller-based nipple stimulation in accelerating the labor process by stimulating the release of the hormone oxytocin which increases uterine contractions and accelerates cervical opening. Microcontroller technology is used to ensure the stimulation is done automatically and measured according to the mother's physiological needs. This study involved two groups, namely the group that received stimulation and the control group that did not receive stimulation. The results showed that the stimulated group experienced shorter labor times than the control group and were less likely to require medical interventions such as induction with drugs. Close monitoring is still required to ensure safety, especially regarding the risk of uterine hyperstimulation that may affect the condition of the mother and fetus. Further research is needed to test the long-term effectiveness and safety of this method before it is widely applied in obstetric practice. Based on the total library, 600 were identified and as many as 100 additional articles were identified. A total of 630 studies failed to meet the inclusion criteria and 70 articles were read in their entirety, so that as many as 11 publications were used as references. Microcontroller-based nipple stimulation offers an innovative solution that can improve the efficiency of labor while providing a better quality of health care.

Optimization of Childbirth Time Phase I Using MicrocontrollerBased Nipple Stimulation

Background: The first stage of labor often takes a long time and causes discomfort forthe mother, so methods are needed to accelerate it. This study aims to evaluate theeffectiveness of microcontroller-based nipple stimulation in accelerating the laborprocess by stimulating the release of the hormone oxytocin which increases uterinecontractions and accelerates cervical opening. Microcontroller technology is used toensure the stimulation is done automatically and measured according to the mother'sphysiological needs. This study involved two groups, namely the group that receivedstimulation and the control group that did not receive stimulation. The results showedthat the stimulated group experienced shorter labor times than the control group andwere less likely to require medical interventions such as induction with drugs.Methods: Close monitoring is still required to ensure safety, especially regarding therisk of uterine hyperstimulation that may affect the condition of the mother and fetus.Further research is needed to test the long-term effectiveness and safety of this methodbefore it is widely applied in obstetric practice.Results: Based on the total library, 600 were identified and as many as 100 additionalarticles were identified. A total of 630 studies failed to meet the inclusion criteria and 70articles were read in their entirety, so that as many as 11 publications were used asreferences.Conclusion: Microcontroller-based nipple stimulation offers an innovative solution thatcan improve the efficiency of labor while providing a better quality of health care.Keywords : First Period of Labor, Medical Technology, Microcontroller, Nipple Stimulation,Time Efficiency

Mental Health Management Strategies in Pregnant Women and The Impact on Infant Health

The first stage of labor often takes a long time and causes discomfort for the mother, so methods are needed to accelerate it. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of microcontroller-based nipple stimulation in accelerating the labor process by stimulating the release of the hormone oxytocin which increases uterine contractions and accelerates cervical opening. Microcontroller technology is used to ensure the stimulation is done automatically and measured according to the mother's physiological needs. This study involved two groups, namely the group that received stimulation and the control group that did not receive stimulation. There are shortcomings in studies examining the effectiveness of interventions implemented at the organisational level in reducing stigma and improving mental health support. A variety of strategies can be used to address stigma, including proper education, awareness campaigns, and training for managers and employees on the importance of mental health. The development of inclusive policies and the provision of easy and non-discriminatory access to mental health services are essential. Consistent managerial support also plays a key role in creating a supportive work environment. Creating a positive and inclusive organizational culture will help companies improve employee mental health and well-being, while also increasing workforce productivity and retention. Reducing stigma and increasing support can create a healthier work environment, which ultimately supports individual development and the long-term success of the company.

Oxytocin/Oxytocin Receptor Signalling in the Gastrointestinal System: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Potential.

The neuropeptide hormone oxytocin (OT) is involved in various physiological and pathological processes via the oxytocin receptor (OTR). While OT is most widely known as a reproductive system hormone and a nervous system neurotransmitter, the OT/OTR system has gradually gained much attention for its role in the gastrointestinal (GI) system, such as the GI motility, secretion, and bowel inflammatory reactions. Its importance in GI cancers has also been reported in the past few decades. The promising clinical observations have revealed OT's anti-nociceptive effect, protective effect over gut injury, and the potential of using microbiota to naturally increase endogenous OT levels, which shed a light on the management of GI disorders with lower side effects. However, no current comprehensive review is available on the actions of OT/OTR in the GI tract. This review aims to present the lesser-known role of the OT/OTR system in the GI tract, and the most recent findings are discussed regarding the distribution and functional role of OTR signalling in regulating (patho)physiological functions of the GI tract. Special emphasis is placed on its therapeutic potential for clinical management of GI disorders, such as GI pain, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The recent characterisation of the OTR's crystal structure has advanced research for designing and identifying new OTR-specific molecules. Future in-depth basic and clinical research is needed to further elucidate the involvement and detailed mechanism of OT/OTR in GI disorders, and the development of OTR-specific ligands.

Effects of thiacloprid, a neonicotinoid pesticide, on rat reproductive system: Pregnancy hormone disruption and abortion trends

Thiacloprid (TCL), commonly known as Biscaya, is among the most widely used pesticides in agriculture, designed to eliminate insects by targeting their nicotinic receptors. This study explores the effects of orally administering TCL (at a dose of 50 mg/kg) on the hormone secretion crucial for pregnancy and the factors influencing abortion throughout the early, middle, and late stages of pregnancy in female rats.Following TCL exposure, there were significant increases in levels of 17β-Estradiol, prostaglandins F2α and E2, and serum oxytocin hormone in different stages of pregnancy. In contrast, progesterone and endothelin-1 serum levels notably decreased during the initial and final stages of pregnancy. Additionally, TCL led to a substantial rise in lipid peroxidation levels and a decrease in total thiol molecules and total antioxidant capacity, especially in uterine tissue. Although TCL did not significantly affect the morphological characteristics of the delivered fetuses, it notably increased the number of abortions, especially during the second and third stages of pregnancy.In summary, our findings suggest that TCL elevates the risk of abortion in pregnant rats by disrupting the secretion of hormones crucial for fertility (such as 17β-Estradiol/progesterone) and by increasing the secretion of abortion-inducing hormones like prostaglandins and oxytocin. Furthermore, these effects may be associated with disruptions in the oxidant/antioxidant balance within the ovaries and uterus.

Estrogen-dependent oxytocin expression in the hypothalamus and estrogen-dependent vasopressin in the median eminence.

The posterior pituitary (PP) hormones oxytocin (OXT) and arginine vasopressin (AVP) are synthesized within the hypothalamic nucleus and released from the PP into systemic circulation. Hypothalamic AVP projects its axons into the external layer of median eminence (eME) and regulates anterior pituitary hormone secretion during stress responses. Although similar as PP hormones, we demonstrate distinct regulatory roles of estrogen in hypothalamic OXT and AVP dynamics. OXT dynamics in the hypothalamus exhibit sex-dependent variations and that estrogen may influence dynamic OXT level changes, as observed in OXT-mRFP1 transgenic rats. Estrogen was also observed to modulate dynamic changes in AVP levels in the axon terminals of eME in female AVP-eGFP transgenic rats. Although OXT and AVP are produced within the similar hypothalamic region, both exhibit distinct dynamics within the hypothalamus. Estrogen acts on the hypothalamus, and further effects of estrogen replacement therapy can be expected.

Levels of Oxytocin Hormone During Breastfeeding

Background: The rate of successful early breastfeeding in new mothers remains low. Various factors influence the lactation process, including the levels of prolactin and oxytocin hormones in the body. Prolactin and oxytocin are crucial for lactation, with oxytocin being released in response to nipple stimulation when the baby suckles, facilitating milk ejection. Purpose: It is the purpose of this research to determine the levels of the hormone oxytocin in postpartum moms who are nursing their infants entirely. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional design was used for the research project. It involved measuring oxytocin hormone levels during the third day after birth in postpartum women by the collection of blood samples and the subsequent analysis of those samples using the ELISA technique. Researchers also assessed breastfeeding success using observation sheets. The participants included 30 postpartum mothers who had undergone uncomplicated cesarean deliveries. Statistical tests were used to analyze the data on oxytocin levels and breastfeeding success. Results: A total of 53% of postpartum mothers were able to breastfeed successfully without encountering significant issues. The average oxytocin level in these mothers on the third day postpartum was found to be 786.8 pg/ml. Conclusion: The significant factor was found to be 0.002 after the data analysis was performed, indicating a significant relationship between oxytocin hormone levels and breastfeeding.

PIJAT LAKTASI UNTUK MELANCARKAN ASI PADA IBU POST PARTUM

The care provided by midwives throughout the life cycle, including pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum, and family planning, is known as comprehensive midwifery. Midwives provide this care to their patients to carry out their duties as midwives. Lactation massage targets several areas, including the breasts, back, shoulders, and neck. The basic idea behind lactation massage is to induce a state of relaxation in the mother, which in turn increases breast milk production by the hormone oxytocin. Since most women do not produce enough breast milk after giving birth, lactation massage aims to stimulate breast milk production. This is due to the fact that a woman's energy levels will be very different after giving birth compared to when she was pregnant, when her milk supply was more stable and the breastfeeding mother felt calmer. This research uses case study methodology, which is a type of descriptive research. By utilizing trackers. There will be a decrease in calcium levels in breast milk when a postpartum mother uses lactation massage to stimulate breast milk production for thirty minutes, twice a day. After giving new mothers a 30-minute lactation massage, researchers found that their breast milk production increased. In short: Women who have recently given birth can benefit from lactation massage by increasing the amount of breast milk they produce.

Stimulation Therapy to Induce Mothers: Protocol for a Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial.

More than 1 million women have their labor induced in the United States each year, and synthetic oxytocin infusion is the most common method used. However, compared to spontaneous labor, medical induction is resource intensive, has increased obstetric risks, and is associated with less successful breastfeeding. In contrast to the endogenous oxytocin hormone, which is released in a pulsatile fashion in the brain, synthetic oxytocin is continuously infused intravenously, resulting in important limitations related to efficacy, safety, and cost. Akin to spontaneous labor contractions, infant suckling of the breast nipple is known to stimulate the pulsatile release of endogenous oxytocin from the posterior pituitary gland. Nipple stimulation therapy via an electric breast pump similarly stimulates endogenous oxytocin release and may be a favorable inpatient method for patients undergoing labor induction. This study aims to examine whether inpatient nipple stimulation therapy is an efficacious labor induction method that increases the likelihood of spontaneous vaginal delivery and sustained breastfeeding and determine whether it is a cost-effective approach. This is a multicenter, pragmatic, open-label, parallel-group randomized controlled trial of nulliparous patients with singleton gestations ≥36 weeks undergoing labor induction. This trial compares inpatient nipple stimulation therapy via an electric breast pump versus immediate synthetic oxytocin infusion without nipple stimulation. This trial including 988 nulliparas will provide adequate statistical power to detect clinically meaningful differences in delivery mode and breast milk as the sole source of nutrition for newborns at hospital discharge or 72 hours after birth. The project received pilot funding in 2021 and full funding in 2023. Enrollment for this study began in November 2021 at a single site, and as of May 2024, recruitment is underway at 3 study sites. It is anticipated that enrollment will be completed by late 2026. Successful completion of this trial will provide rigorous data to determine whether inpatient nipple stimulation therapy with an electric breast pump can improve the way we induce labor and positively impact breastfeeding success and early infant nutrition through lactation. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05079841; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05079841. DERR1-10.2196/63463.

The Effect of Endorphine Massage to Reduce Pain During the First Stage of Labor: Evidence Based Case Report

Background: Labor is a physiological process that every pregnant woman will experience in her reproductive cycle. The changes that occur in the body to prepare for childbirth often cause pain in the mother. Physical changes will also affect the emotional and psychological condition of the birthing mother, such as stress and anxiety. One non-pharmacological methods to reduce pain during labor is endorphine massage. This massage aims to make the mother comfortable and calm by helping to release endorphin hormones which play a role in increased analgesic response during labor. Endorphine massage is performed by giving a light touch to the back area to help release the hormones endorphins and oxytocin during the first stage of labor. Purpose: To determine the effect of endorphin massage on reducing pain in the first stage of labor. Method: Evidence based case report (EBCR) by searching several articles via Google Scholar and Portal Garuda. Result: There was a decrease in pain intensity of first stage of labor from severe to moderate pain after being given endorphins massage for 5 minutes every hour. Conclusion: The results of the case report show that endorphin massage can reduce pain in the first stage of labor.

Oxytocin Massage Education for Postpartum Mothers to Improve the Smooth Production of Breast Milk (Breast Milk)

Oxytocin massage, a technique involving the massaging of the vertebrae to the fifth-sixth costae (ribs), aims to stimulate the hormones prolactin and oxytocin, thereby enhancing breast milk production. Breast milk is the optimal nourishment for infants, containing the essential nutrients in ideal proportions. A common challenge in the initial stages of breastfeeding is the insufficient production of breast milk on the first day postpartum. Oxytocin massage is a method used to facilitate the smooth flow of breast milk. This study aims to increase the knowledge of postpartum mothers about oxytocin massage and its role in stimulating breast milk production. A descriptive case study approach was employed in nursing practice. The study focused on educating postpartum mothers about the steps and benefits of oxytocin massage. The findings indicate that mothers who were educated about oxytocin massage not only understood the technique but were also able to perform it effectively. There was a notable increase in the mothers' knowledge and practical ability regarding oxytocin massage therapy. Enhancing the understanding and application of oxytocin massage among postpartum mothers can play a significant role in overcoming initial breastfeeding challenges, ensuring better nourishment for infants through increased breast milk production.

Hubungan Inisiasi Menyusu Dini Terhadap Pemberian ASI Eksklusif

According to the World Health Organization, the gold standard for child nutrition is exclusive breastfeeding. WHO states that babies, mothers and families greatly benefit from exclusive breastfeeding. Even though breastfeeding has many benefits, only twenty percent of mothers in Indonesia exclusively breastfeed. The performance of the hormone prolactin, which produces breast milk, and the hormone oxytocin, which produces breast milk, can influence the success of exclusive breastfeeding. Early initiation of breastfeeding (IMD) is the first step for successful exclusive breastfeeding. The aim of this research is to analyze the relationship between IMD and exclusive breastfeeding in the Mojo Community Health Center Area. This research is observational analytic using a cross sectional research design. The research sample was mothers with babies aged 6 - 12 months who were selected using the purposive sampling method. Data collection through interviews using questionnaires. Data analysis using the Chi Square test and Fisher's Exact Test with α = 0.05. The results of statistical tests show that there is no relationship between IMD and exclusive breastfeeding (p = 0.094), which means that respondents with IMD and without IMD predominantly give exclusive breastfeeding.

Efektifitas Pijat Woolwich Terhadap Produksi Asi di Bidan Praktek Mesra Wilayah Puskesmas Pintu Padang Kecamatan Batang Angkola Kabupaten Tapanuli Selatan

In order to reduce child morbidity and mortality, the United Nations Children's Fun (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) recommend that children should only be given breast milk for at least six months (Infodatin, 2020). Adequacy of breast milk prevents hunger and malnutrition, reduces infant mortality, improves mental and cognitive development of infants. Woolwich massage increases the hormones prolactin and oxytocin which play a role in stimulating the release of milk in mothers after giving birth. Woolwich massage. carried out in the area of the lactiferous sinuses exactly 1-1.5 cm above the areola mamae, with the aim of removing the milk that is in the lactiferous sinuses. The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of the woolwich massage method on increasing breast milk production for the adequacy of babies in postpartum mothers in the Pintu Padang Health Center area, South Tapanuli Regency. Quasiexperimental study Woolwich massage on mammary glands. Population Mother post partum 1-4 days. The total population sample is 20 respondents. Research time June to November 2022. The results of the Pearson correlation test of 0.751 with a significance level (p) of 0.058 indicate a strong correlation and a positive direction where the woolwich massage facilitates the release of breast milk in meeting the needs of the baby. Midwives are motivated to do woolwich massage in the mammary area after assisting in childbirth.

Kangaroo Mother Care Induced Serum Oxytocin Facilitates Prolactin and IL-10 Among Emergency Cesarean Mothers.

The rate of cesarean section is increasing from 15% to 40% in recent years. The type of delivery influences the hormonal, emotional and mental health of the mother, which correlates positively or negatively with the health benefits of the newborn. There have been many published studies on kangaroo mother care for mothers undergoing elective cesarean section, but there is still a lack of understanding about emergency cesarean section. This study aimed to evaluate the benefits of KMC practice for mothers undergoing emergency cesarean section in terms of hormone levels such as oxytocin, cortisol, prolactin, interleukin-6 and interleukin-10. This retrospective analysis used remnant serum (KMC group = 16; control group = 9), and clinical data such as KMC practice (15-30 minutes three or four times daily until discharge), breastfeeding initiation time, feeding time, crying time and hospital stay were extracted from the electronic database. All hormone and cytokine expressions were quantitatively determined by ELISA. Comparisons within and between groups were performed using appropriate statistical tests. In the KMC group, increased levels of the hormone oxytocin significantly reduced cortisol and IL-6 and negatively influenced prolactin and IL-10 levels. The elevated prolactin facilitates overall lactation behaviour, of which 64% reported breastfeeding directly at the breast. The cytokine analysis revealed a reduction in pro-inflammatory cytokines and thereby an improved wound healing was seen in the KMC group. These quantitative results strongly encourage the use of KMC for mothers undergoing emergency cesarean section. These simple yet effective breastfeeding strategies promote maternal and infant health, which can reduce medication use.

Case Study: Open Pyometra in a Pomeranian Dog at INI Veterinary Service Clinic

A five-year-old female Pomeranian dog presented with vomiting, restlessness, decreased appetite, and vaginal discharge. The physical examination revealed yellowish to brownish purulent vaginal discharge with an unpleasant smell. The X-ray image showed an enlarged uterus, while the hematology results revealed hypochromic normocytic anemia, neutrophilia, lymphopenia, and thrombocytopenia. The blood chemistry test results showed abnormalities, including elevated levels of alkaline phosphatase levels (ALP) and cholesterol as well as decreased amylase levels. Based on the anamnesis, clinical findings, physical examination, and supporting examinations, it was concluded that the dog was diagnosed with open cervix pyometra. The dog was treated with oxytocin hormone at a dose of 0.5 IU/kg BW, methylergometrine at a dose of 0.125 mg/dog, enrofloxacin at a dose of 5 mg/kg BW, carprofen at a dose of 2.5 mg/kg BW, cyproheptadine at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg BW, ranitidine at a dose of 3.5 mg/kg BW, ondansetron at a dose of 1 mg/kg BW, glyseryl guaiacolate at a dose of 20 mg/kg BW, ambroxol HCl at a dose of 2 mg/kg BW, Fufang® at adose of 1 ml, Sangobion® at a dose of 100 mg/dog, Maxbiotik® at a dose of 66 mg, and Transfer Factor Plus® at a dose of 20 mg. The treatment resulted in an improvement in the animal's condition as evidenced by the absence of nasal and vaginal discharges and vomiting, as well as a stool consistency of two out of five.

Pengaruh Inisiasi Menyusu Dini (IMD) terhadap Jumlah Perdarahan Kala IV Persalinan di Desa Bangunrejo Kecamatan Tanjung Morawa Kabupaten Deli Serdang Tahun 2024

One of the MGDS global targets is to reduce MMR and IMR. The maternal mortality rate in Indonesia is still high at 390 per 100,000 live births. Referring to the link between birth management and various countermeasures for the biggest cause of AKI is postpartum hemorrhage. Efforts have been made in problems related to bleeding, even several studies have carried out IMD in treating bleeding problems considering that the presence of IMD can affect the hormone oxytocin which is associated with bleeding. The purpose of this study was to see how IMD influences the amount of bleeding in the fourth stage.This research is a Quasi Experiment using primary data. The population and sample were all primiparous women with a total of 46 respondents using the purposive sampling method. The data analysis was univariate and bivariate using the Independent t-test. The results showed that there was a significant effect between IMD on the amount of bleeding in the fourth stage. The average number of bleeding in the fourth stage of respondents who underwent Early Breastfeeding Initiation was 150.63 with a standard deviation of 22.149. Meanwhile, for respondents who did not undergo Early Breastfeeding Initiation, the average number of bleeding in the fourth stage was 166.09 with a standard deviation of 21.580. In the statistical test, the value of P = 0.000 was obtained. With this study, it was found that there was an effect of IMD on the amount of bleeding in the fourth stage of labor. It is hoped that midwives and doctors will implement IMD in order to reduce morbidity and mortality of mothers and babies.

Hubungan Lingkungan Sosial, Pengetahuan Ibu, Dan Status Gizi Terhadap Produksi ASI Pada Ibu Nifas Di Rumah Sakit Firdaus Jakarta Utara

Introduction: Mother's Milk (ASI) is an emulsion of fat in a solution of protein, lactose, and inorganic salts secreted by the mother's mammary glands and is useful as baby food. Breast milk production is the process of forming breast milk which involves the hormone prolactin and the hormone oxytocin. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between social environment, mother's knowledge, and nutritional status on breast milk production in post-partum mothers at Firdaus Hospital, North Jakarta in 2023. Methods: The design of this study was an analytic descriptive quantitative method with a cross-sectional approach with a total sample of 52 mothers. Post-partum who conducted an examination at Firdaus Hospital, North Jakarta. Results: The results of the chi-square statistical test showed that there was a relationship between social environment (p-value 0,011); mother's knowledge (p-value 0,011) and nutritional status (p-value 0,000) with milk production in post-partum mothers. Discussion: The conclusion in this study is that there is a significant relationship between the social environment, mother's knowledge and nutritional status on the production of breast milk in post-partum mothers at Firdaus Hospital, North Jakarta in 2023. Suggestions for post-partum mothers to be able to improve their nutritional fulfillment during the breastfeeding period by implementing good and correct eating patterns in accordance with the nutritional adequacy rates recommended by health workers.

Description of Female Students Skills in Carrying Out Endorphin Massage Techniques to Reduce Menstrual Pain

Introduction: Menstrual pain is pain felt during the menstrual cycle. The prevalence of primary Menstrual pain is generally experienced by adolescent girls aged 17-24 years by 67-90%. Menstrual pain has been identified as the most common menstruation-related cause of short-term school absenteeism among young girls. So menstrual pain in adolescents needs attention and information to provide appropriate treatment both pharmacologically and non-pharmacologically. Pharmacological treatment for menstrual pain can be overcome with analgesic drugs but causes addiction and dangerous side effects. One effective way to prevent menstrual pain is relaxation in the form of hand massage with endorphin massage techniques. This technique increases the release of endorphin and oxytocin hormones which function to reduce pain and based on research results show that the effectiveness of endorphin massage is more effective in reducing pain. Objective: The purpose of this research is to determine the description of female students' skills in carrying out endorphin massage techniques to relieve menstrual pain. Method: This study uses a descriptive research design. The sample in this study was determined using a quota sampling technique, namely as many as 32 respondents who fit the inclusion criteria. Result: The result of the research that respondents were able to carry out more endorphin massage technique, namely 20 people (62.5%), whereas 12 respondents (37.5%) were skilled at performing endorphin massage techniques. Conclusion: Most respondents were able to carry out the endorphin massage technique to reduce menstrual pain. In adolescent girls include menstrual conditions, unbalanced nutritional intake, eating and drinking patterns, non-compliance with Fe tablet consumption and lack of knowledge.

Changes in salivary oxytocin in response to biologically-relevant events in farm animals: method optimization and usefulness as a biomarker.

Although best known for its established role in mediating parturition and lactation, the highly-conserved neuropeptide hormone oxytocin also mediates a range of social and stress-buffering processes across mammalian species. Measurements of peripheral oxytocin in plasma have long been considered the gold standard, but there is increasing interest in developing methods to detect oxytocin non-invasively in saliva. Here we present an analytical and biological validation of a novel method to measure salivary oxytocin (sOXT) in an under-studied research group: farm animals. Given their similarities with humans in physiology and brain, methods that can identify valued social contexts and social relationships for farm animals and investigate their function have implications for clinical research as well as for animal welfare science. However, current methods to measure sOXT vary greatly in terms of sample collection, pre-measurement processing and measurement and more rigorous standardization and validation of methods is critical to determine the utility of sOXT as a biomarker of salient social events and related emotions. We optimized a method for extracting sOXT in pigs and horses and measured sOXT in extracted samples using a commercially available enzyme-immunoassay. Extracted samples were within acceptable ranges for precision (CVs < 15.2%), parallelism and recovery (94%-99%) in both species. Salivary oxytocin increased in samples collected during birth in pigs (Friedmans, p = 0.02) and horses (Wilcoxon, p = 0.02). Salivary oxytocin tended to decrease in sows after a 90-min separation from their piglets (Wilcoxon, p = 0.08). We conclude that sOXT can be reliably linked to physiological events that are mediated by the oxytocinergic system in farm animals, but that more research is needed to determine whether sOXT is a reliable trait marker for more general oxytocin system activation in response to salient social events. Future research should characterize how individual attributes and salivary parameters influence sOXT measurement and should emphasize reporting of analytical and biological validations to increase acceptance of non-invasive methods.