Injection Of Oxytocin Research Articles

Splenectomy prevents brain orexin, ghrelin, or oxytocin but not GLP-1-induced improvement of intestinal barrier function in rats.

Accumulating evidence has suggested that neuropeptides such as orexin, ghrelin, or oxytocin act centrally in the brain to regulate intestinal barrier function through the vagus nerve. It has been reported that the vagal cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway was blocked by splenectomy. In the present study, we therefore examined the effect of splenectomy on neuropeptides-induced improvement of increased intestinal permeability. Colonic permeability was determined invivo by quantifying the absorbed Evans blue in colonic tissue for 15 min spectrophotometrically in rats. Splenectomy increased colonic permeability. The increased permeability by splenectomy was significantly blocked by vagal activation induced by carbachol or 2-deoxy-d-glucose which was prevented by atropine, suggesting vagal activation could prevent colonic hyperpermeability in splenectomized rats. In the splenectomized rats, intracisternal injection of orexin, ghrelin, oxytocin, or butyrate failed to inhibit increased colonic permeability while intracisternal glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogue, liraglutide, potently blocked the increased colonic permeability in a dose-dependent manner. The liraglutide-induced improvement of increased colonic permeability was blocked by atropine in splenectomized rats. Intracisternal injection of GLP-1 receptor antagonist attenuated 2-deoxy-d-glucose-induced improvement of colonic hyperpermeability in splenectomized rats. The present results suggested that the spleen is important in the improvement of intestinal barrier function by brain orexin, ghrelin or oxytocin, and butyrate. On the other hand, GLP-1 acts centrally in the brain to improve colonic hyperpermeability in a spleen-independent manner. All these results suggest that dual mechanisms (spleen dependent or independent) may exist for the brain-gut regulation in intestinal barrier function.

Post-marketing quality evaluation of oxytocin injection and assessment of associated factors among selected health facilities in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Oxytocin is the principal drug and the primary choice for labor induction and postpartum hemorrhage prevention and treatment. The problems associated with oxytocin are not usually from its effectiveness, but they are from its compromised quality which may occur at the point of manufacturing, transportation, and storage. The main objective of this study was to assess the status of oxytocin injection quality and associated factors in the health facilities located in Addis Ababa city, Ethiopia. A laboratory based instrumental quality testing alongside a cross sectional study design was used to evaluate oxytocin injection quality in Addis Ababa city administration from January to June, 2022 according to United States Pharmacopeia (USP 20), and the World Health Organization guideline of post-market medicine quality assessment. Binary logistic regression and cross tabulation analysis were conducted using SPSS 26. Significance was considered at p ≤ 0.05. Out of 107 tested oxytocin injection samples, 92.5% met the limit for oxytocin content, 81.3% for sterility test, and 91.6% for pH value. Overall, quality failure rate was 23.4%, while sterility test failure rate was 18.7%. Lack of reliable refrigerated storage condition [(AOR = 5.62, 95% CI: (1.87, 16.88)], lack of effective cold chain system during distribution [(AOR = 5.5, 95% CI: (1.53, 19.74)], and weak national medicine regulatory system [(AOR = 3.23, 95% CI: (1.13, 9.23)] were among the significantly associated factors for the failure of some of the brands. The study demonstrated that oxytocin injection quality failure rate, failing to meet at least one quality test requirement, is demonstrated in the health facilities of Addis Ababa. The determinant factors for the reported failures are related to storage, distribution, and regulatory system. Hence, these should be addressed by strictly adhering in to the national regulation and providing a comprehensive health promotion on rational use of oxytocin injection should be implemented to assure its quality and safety.

PVN-mPFC OT projections modulate pup-directed pup care or attacking in virgin mandarin voles

Many species of animals exhibit caregiving or aggression toward conspecific offspring. The neural mechanisms underlying the infanticide and pup care remain poorly understood. Here, using monogamous mandarin voles (Microtus mandarinus), we found that more oxytocin (OT) neurons in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) were activated during pup caring than infanticide. Optogenetic activation of OT neurons in the PVN facilitated pup caring in male and female mandarin voles. In infanticide voles, optogenetic activation of PVN OT cells or PVN-medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) OT projection fibers prolonged latency to approach and attack pups, whereas inhibition of these OT neurons or projections facilitated approach and infanticide. Optogenetic activation of PVN OT neuron projections to the mPFC in males shortened the latency to approach and retrieve pups and facilitated the initiation of pup care, but produced no effects on pup-care females. In addition, OT release in the mPFC increased upon approaching and retrieving pups, and decreased upon attacking pups. Intraperitoneal injection of OT promoted pup care and inhibited infanticide behavior. It is suggested that the OT system, especially PVN OT neurons projecting to mPFC, modulates pup-directed behaviors and OT can be used to treat abnormal behavioral responses associated with some psychological diseases such as depression and psychosis.

Randomized Parallel Trial of Intramyometrial Injection of Heat-stable Carbetocin vs Intramyometrial Injection of Oxytocin for the Prevention of Postpartum Hemorrhage during Cesarean Delivery

Randomized Parallel Trial of Intramyometrial Injection of Heat-stable Carbetocin vs Intramyometrial Injection of Oxytocin for the Prevention of Postpartum Hemorrhage during Cesarean Delivery

Results of the RE-DINO multicenter randomized trial on the repeated use of vaginal dinoprostone (Propess) for labor induction in patients at term

BackgroundLabor is induced in over 25% of women in France. Prostaglandins, especially intravaginal dinoprostone (Propess), are widely used to initiate cervical ripening. If labor does not start within 24 hours, there is uncertainty about whether to administer a second dinoprostone pessary or to use oxytocin to induce labor in order to achieve a vaginal delivery. ObjectivesOur principal objective was to determine whether placement of a second Propess, followed by oxytocin (Syntocinon) if necessary, in pregnant women for whom the first Propess failed to induce cervical ripening increases the vaginal delivery rate compared to direct oxytocin injection. The vaginal delivery rate was therefore the primary outcome. The secondary outcomes were the cervical ripening failure rate and maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Study DesignRE-DINO is a prospective, open-label, multicenter, randomized superiority trial with 2 parallel arms running in 7 French hospitals. Patients at > 37 weeks of gestation who had unfavorable cervical conditions (Bishop score < 6) 24 hours after placement of the first Propess (vaginal patch featuring progressive continuous diffusion of 10 mg dinoprostone), with fetuses in cephalic presentation, were included. Results160 pregnant women were randomized, 80 patients in each group, from December 2016 through April 2022. Baseline characteristics such as age, BMI, maternal age at induction and Bishop score at induction were similar between both groups. Vaginal delivery occurred in 76.3% of cases in the 2nd Propess group and 73.8% of cases in the Syntocinon group (RR=1.03 [0.86; 1.24], p=.715). Although the cesarean section rate was similar in each group, there were significantly more cesarean sections for arrest of dilatation (52.6% vs 19%; p=.0262) in the Propess group and a larger, borderline-significant difference in patients having operative vaginal delivery (24.6% vs 11.9%; p=.07) for abnormal fetal heart rate (80% vs 29%; p=.05). There was significantly more failure of cervical ripening in the Propess group (57.1% vs 19%; RR=2.59 ; 95% CI [1.64; 4.11]; p<.0001) and the interval between study treatment and delivery was also significantly longer (28.1h vs 9,7h; p<.0001). There was a higher incidence of postpartum hemorrhage in the Propess group, although this was not significant (11.3% vs 5% ; p=,15), but also more newborns with acidosis (39.3% vs 27.9% ; p=.18) or severe acidosis (8,6% vs 3.4% ; p=.27), more meconium fluid (11.3% vs 6.3% ; p=.26) and transferred to intensive care (5% vs 2.5% ; p=.68). ConclusionOur data showed no superiority of a second dinoprostone pessary over oxytocin in patients not responding to initial prostaglandins E2 maturation for labor induction. Repeated use of Propess is not useful for induction of labor.

Abstract Tu083: Oxytocin improves cardiovascular outcomes in a rat model of pressure-overload heart failure

Oxytocin (OT) is a peptide made in the hypothalamus and released into circulation by the pituitary gland. Known for its role in childbirth and lactation, recent research suggests that OT has significant cardiovascular benefits, reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension and atherosclerosis. We tested if OT has beneficial effects on cardiovascular function in a rat model of pressure overload heart failure (HF). Neonatal Sprague Dawley rats underwent transaortic constriction (TAC). Pressure overload and cardiac dysfunction progressed as animals matured. Echocardiography at 5 weeks of age confirmed reduced ejection fraction. Animals were then randomly assigned to receive daily IP injections of either OT (treatment) or saline (control) for two weeks. Echocardiography was performed again before hearts were excised for optical mapping studies to test for electrophysiological differences between groups. Hearts were electromechanically uncoupled using blebbistatin and transmembrane potential (RH237) and intracellular Ca2+ (Rhod2am) were simultaneously mapped during a dynamic restitution protocol. Preliminary results indicate that rats in the treatment (OT, n=3) group had improved cardiac function compared to controls (saline, n=3), with higher ejection fraction (66.71 ± 9.44 vs. 25.83 ± 17.93, p=0.0125), higher cardiac output (62.4 ± 11.45 vs. 20.35 ± 6.12, p=0.0025), and greater stroke volume (180.2 ± 18.19 vs. 73.96 ± 37.29, p=0.0057). Preliminary optical mapping results indicate that the hearts of OT-treated rats (n=3) have lower steady state action potential duration (APD) compared to controls (n=2). APD60 decreased from 109.5 ± 10.09 to 75.79 ± 21.94 (p=.0725) and APD80 decreased from 133.1 ± 10.22 to 101.1 ± 24.5 (p=.09595), indicating preservation of repolarizing currents corresponding to healthier electrophysiological function. In summary, our preliminary results suggest exogenous IP OT administration could have a potent cardioprotective effect on chronic and severe pressure overload hearts. Future work will investigate potential mechanisms of OT mediated cardio-protection, including sites of action.

Acute, chronic and conditioned effects of intranasal oxytocin in the mu-opioid receptor knockout mouse model of autism: Social context matters

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are neurodevelopmental disorders whose diagnosis relies on deficient social interaction and communication together with repetitive behaviours. Multiple studies have highlighted the potential of oxytocin (OT) to ameliorate behavioural abnormalities in animal models and subjects with ASD. Clinical trials, however, yielded disappointing results. Our study aimed at assessing the behavioural effects of different regimens of OT administration in the Oprm1 null mouse model of ASD. We assessed the effects of intranasal OT injected once at different doses (0.15, 0.3, and 0.6 IU) and time points (5, 15, and 30 min) following administration, or chronically, on ASD-related behaviours (social interaction and preference, stereotypies, anxiety, nociception) in Oprm1+/+and Oprm1-/- mice. We then tested whether pairing intranasal OT injection with social experience would influence its outcome on ASD-like symptoms, and measured gene expression in the reward/social circuit. Acute intranasal OT at 0.3 IU improved social behaviour in Oprm1-/- mice 5 min after administration, with limited effects on non-social behaviours. Chronic (8–17 days) OT maintained rescuing effects in Oprm1 null mice but was deleterious in wild-type mice. Finally, improvements in the social behaviour of Oprm1-/- mice were greater and longer lasting when OT was administered in a social context. Under these conditions, the expression of OT and vasopressin receptor genes, as well as marker genes of striatal projection neurons, was suppressed. We detected no sex difference in OT effects. Our results highlight the importance of considering dosage and social context when evaluating the effects of OT treatment in ASD.

Oxytocin Receptors on Calvarial Periosteal Innervation: Therapeutic Target for Post-Traumatic Headache?

Following a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), the most prevalent and profoundly debilitating occurrence is the emergence of an acute and persistent post-traumatic headache (PTH), for which there are presently no approved treatments. A crucial gap in knowledge exists regarding the consequences of an mTBI, which could serve as a foundation for the development of therapeutic approaches. The activation of trigeminal sensory nerve terminals that innervate the calvarial periosteum (CP)-a densely innervated tissue layer covering the calvarial skull-has been implicated in both migraines and PTHs. We have previously shown that trigeminal oxytocin receptors (OTRs) may provide a therapeutic target for PTHs. This study examined the expression of oxytocin receptors on trigeminal nerves innervating the periosteum and whether these receptors might serve as a therapeutic target for PTHs using a direct application of oxytocin to the periosteum in a rodent model of PTH. We used retrograde tracing and immunohistochemistry to determine if trigeminal ganglion (TG) neurons innervating the periosteum expressed OTRs and/or CGRPs. To model the impact of local inflammation that occurs following an mTBI, we applied chemical inflammatory mediators directly to the CP and assessed for changes in immediate-early gene expression as an indication of neuronal activation. We also determined whether mTBI would lead to expression changes to OTR levels. To determine whether these OTRs could be a viable therapeutic target, we assessed the impact of oxytocin injections into the CP in a mouse model of PTH-induced periorbital allodynia. The results of these experiments demonstrate the following: (1) the cell bodies of CP afferents reside in the TG and express both OTRs and CGRPs; (2) inflammatory chemical stimulation of the periosteum leads to rapid activation of TG neurons (phospho-ERK (p-ERK) expression), (3) mTBI-induced inflammation increased OTR expression compared to the sham group; and (4) administration of oxytocin into the periosteum on day 2 and day 40 blocked cutaneous allodynia for up to one hour post-administration for both acute and persistence phases in the PTH model-an effect that was preventable by the administration of an OTR antagonist. Taken together, our observations suggest that periosteal trigeminal afferents contribute to post-TBI craniofacial pain, and that periosteum tissue can be used as a potential local target for therapeutics such as oxytocin.

Examining the Mechanism of Treatment for Primary Dysmenorrhea with Wenjing Huoxue Decoction based on Transcriptomics, Metabolomics, and Network Pharmacology.

Wenjing Huoxue Decoction (WJHXD) is a traditional treatment for primary dysmenorrhea (PD) that can quickly relieve various symptoms caused by PD. Previous clinical studies have shown that WJHXD has better long-term efficacy than ibuprofen in the treatment of PD and can reverse the disorder of T cell subsets. To investigate the effect of WJHXD on serum-related factors in the treatment of PD, including the identification of key targets, pathways, and active ingredients. In order to study the effects of the WJHXD intervention in Parkinson's Disease (PD) rats, we used transcriptomics and metabolomics methods to examine the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and differentially expressed metabolites (DEMs). We also utilized network pharmacology to predict the target and effective route of WJHXD in treating PD. Finally, we employed molecular docking (MD) technology to confirm the placement of important targets and metabolites. WJHXD has been found to be effective in prolonging the onset time and decreasing the number of writhing episodes in PD rats after oxytocin injection. It has also been observed to reduce the levels of PGF2, COX-2, AVP, and PGE2 in the serum of PD rats to different degrees. Transcriptomics analysis has revealed that the core targets of WJHXD include KRT1, KRT16, CCL5, F2, NOS2, RAC2, and others, while the core pathways are Calcium signaling and cAMP signaling. The Estrogen signaling pathway was found to be downregulated in PD rats compared to normal uterine tissue, but WJHXD was able to up-regulate the pathway. A combined transcriptomics and metabolomics analysis suggested that WJHXD may be involved in eight metabolism-related pathways, with the most reliable ones being mucin-type O-glycan biosynthesis and glycolysis or gluconeogenesis. MD has shown that Hydroxyisocaproic acid may bind to important targets such as SLC6A4, PTGER3, IGFBP3, and IGF2. In WJHXD, the most targeted herbs were Corydalis rhizoma, licorice, and Myrrha. The most targeted active ingredients include quercetin, 3'-Hydroxy-4'-O-methylglabridin, shinpterocarpin, and isorhamnetin. Potential targets include PTGS2, NOS2, AR, SCN5A, and GAS6. Analysis revealed 72 highly reliable relationships between group A and B DEGs and DEMs, with 23 positive correlations and 49 negative correlations among them. A combined analysis of transcriptomics, metabolomics, and network pharmacology was used to identify possible targets, pathways, and active ingredients of WJHXD in PD treatment, and the correlation between DEGs and DEMs was investigated. However, further research is required to confirm the relationship between active ingredients, targets, and metabolites.

Performance in dairy cows and calves with or without cow-calf contact on pasture

Interest in dairy cow-calf contact (CCC) systems is growing, yet limited research had been focused on CCC in a pasture setting. Our study aimed to evaluate the performance of pastured dairy cows and calves with or without CCC through machine milk yield and composition, cow body condition score (BCS) and body weight (BW) decrease, and calf body weight gain (BWG). We also examined calf intake of concentrates, artificially reared calves’ milk intake, and the health of both cows and calves. Conducted on a commercial dairy freestall farm and summer farm in Norway from May to August 2021, the study included twenty cow-calf pairs: 17 Norwegian Red (NRF) and three NRF × Holstein crossbreeds. They were divided into two treatments: cow-calf contact (CC, n = 10) or early separation (ES, n = 10), each with two groups of five cow-calf pairs. CC pairs had full CCC on pasture until 6 weeks postpartum and part-time contact in weeks 7 and 8 (weaning). ES pairs were separated 1–3 h after birth, kept on separate pastures with no contact between ES cows and calves. ES calves’ received daily milk allowances of 12–14 L (weeks 0–6), reduced to 8 L (week 7) and further to 4 L (week 8). From week 9, all calves were denied access to any milk (ES) or cows (CC). During weeks 0–6, CC cows had a daily machine milk yield 23.7 kg lower/cow than ES cows. The difference was likely affected by nursing and other factors (parity and inhibited milk ejection), and persisted during weaning, with CC cows delivering 8.3 kg less/cow/day in weeks 10 and 11 postpartum. Fat and protein content in machine milk showed no significant difference, while lactose content was lower in milk from CC cows than ES cows (week 5 postpartum). CC cows had a lower BW decrease compared to ES cows (CC: 913 g/day, ES: 1415 g/day from pasture day one through week 9). ES calves had an average milk intake of 10.7 L/calf/day (weeks 0–6), and consumed more concentrates than CC calves. Calves’ daily BWG did not differ between treatments in weeks 0–6 (CC: 1340 and ES: 1250 g/day) and decreased for both treatments during weaning (CC: 1050 g/day, ES: 920 g/day in weeks 6–9). Inhibited milk ejection during machine milking was a challenge in CC cows, prompting oxytocin injections to prevent mastitis. Allowing calves full CCC or providing whole milk near ad libitum can result in similar BWG and health in calves. Further research should explore strategies to enhance milk ejection in pastured CCC cows.

Quality assessment of oxytocin injection and misoprostol tablets in Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal

Objective : To assess the quality of oxytocin and misoprostol products available in Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal. Methods : Samples of oxytocin injections and misoprostol tablets were collected from three different levels of the supply chain in Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal from August to December 2021. The sampling process was done by personnel from the National Medicines Regulatory Authorities, employing a methodology and sampling plan aligned with WHO guidelines

Effect of administration routes of oxytocin on hemoglobin in neonates with delayed umbilical cord clamping: a multi-centre randomized controlled clinical trial

PurposeTo evaluate the effect of intravenous infusion versus intramyometrial injection of oxytocin on hemoglobin levels in neonates with delayed umbilical cord clamping during cesarean section.MethodsThe multi-centre randomized controlled trial was performed at three hospitals from February to June 2023. Women with term singleton gestations scheduled for cesarean delivery were allocated to receive an intravenous infusion of 10 units of oxytocin or a myometrial injection of 10 units of oxytocin during the surgery. The primary outcome was neonatal hemoglobin at 48 to 96 h after birth. Secondary outcomes were side-effects of oxytocin, postpartum haemorrhage, phototherapy for jaundice, feeding at 1 month, maternal and neonatal morbidity and re-admissions.ResultsA total of 360 women were randomized (180 women in each group). The mean neonatal hemoglobin did not show a significant difference between the intravenous infusion group (194.3 ± 21.7 g/L) and the intramyometrial groups (195.2 ± 24.3 g/L) (p = 0.715). Secondary neonatal outcomes, involving phototherapy for jaundice, feeding at 1 month and neonatal intensive care unit admission were similar between the two groups. The maternal outcomes did not differ significantly between the two groups, except for a 200 mL higher intraoperative infusion volume observed in the intravenous group compared to the intramyometrial group.ConclusionAmong women undergoing elective cesarean delivery of term singleton pregnancies, there was no significant difference in neonatal hemoglobin at 48 to 96 h after birth between infants with delayed cord clamping, whether the oxytocin was administrated by intravenous infusion or intramyometrial injection.Trial registrationChinese Clinical trial registry: ChiCTR2300067953 (1 February 2023).

Mechanisms of electroacupuncture relieves uterine smooth muscle spasm in dysmenorrhea rats based on Rho/ROCK signaling pathway.

To investigate the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on Rho/Rho-associated coiled-coil-forming kinases (ROCK) signaling pathway of uterus tissue in rats with dysmenorrhea, so as to explore the underlying mechanism of EA treating primary dysmenorrhea (PD) and uterine smooth muscle spasm, and to observe whether there is a difference in the effect of meridian acupoints in Conception Vessel (CV) and Governer Vessel (GV). Sixty female SD rats were randomly divided into saline, model, CV, GV, and non-acupoint groups, with 12 rats in each group. The dysmenorrhea model was established by subcutaneous injection of estradiol diphenhydrate combined with intraperitoneal injection of oxytocin (OT). EA (2 Hz) was applied to "Qihai" (CV6) and "Zhongji" (CV3) for CV group, "Mingmen" (GV4) and "Yaoshu" (GV2) for GV group, "non-acupoint 1" and "non-acupoint 3" on the left side for non-acupoint group, and manual acupuncture was applied to "Guanyuan" (CV4) for CV group, "Yaoyangguan" (GV3) for GV group, "non-acupoint 2" on the left side for non-acupoint group. The treatment was conducted for 20 min each time, once daily for 10 days. The writhing score was evaluated. The smooth myoelectric signals of rats' uterus in vivo were recorded by multi-channel physiological recorder. The uterine histopathological changes were observed by HE staining. The contents of prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α), OT and calcium ion (Ca2+) in uterine tissue of rats were detected by ELISA. The protein and mRNA expression levels of smooth muscle 22-α (SM22-α), RhoA and ROCKⅡ in uterine tissue were detected by Western blot and fluorescence quantitative PCR, respectively. Compared with the saline group, the writhing score of rats in the model group was increased (P<0.01), the amplitude voltage of uterine smooth muscle in vivo was elevated (P<0.01), the contents of PGF2α, OT and Ca2+, the protein and mRNA expression of SM22-α, RhoA and ROCK Ⅱ in uterine tissue were all increased (P<0.01). Compared with the model and the non-acupoint groups, the writhing scores of the CV and the GV groups were decreased (P<0.01, P<0.05), the amplitude voltage of uterine smooth muscle was decreased (P<0.01), the contents of PGF2α, OT and Ca2+ in uterine tissue were decreased (P<0.01, P<0.05), and the protein expression and mRNA expression of SM22-α, RhoA and ROCKⅡ in uterine tissue were decreased (P<0.01, P<0.05). HE staining showed extensive exfoliation of uterine intima with severe edema and increased glandular secretion in the model group, which was alleviated in the CV and GV groups. EA at acupoints of CV and GV can significantly reduce the writhing score, uterine smooth muscle amplitude voltage, pathological injury degree of uterus, and relieve spasm of uterine smooth muscle in dysmenorrhea rats, which may be related to its effect in regulating PGF2α and OT contents, inhibiting the Rho/ROCK signaling pathway, and reducing the SM22-α, RhoA, ROCKⅡ protein and mRNA expression, and Ca2+ content in uterine tissue.

Postpartum uterine involution promoted by penetrating-moxibustion therapy: a randomized controlled trial.

To observe the effect of penetrating-moxibustion therapy on postpartum uterine involution. Eighty puerpera were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 40 cases in each one. In the control group, oxytocin injection was administered by intravenous drip, 20 U each time, once daily. In the observation group, on the base of the treatment as the control group, the penetrating-moxibustion therapy was used at Shenque (GV 8), Qihai (CV 6) and Guanyuan (CV 4), 30 min to 40 min each time, twice a day. The intervention of each group started from the first day after childbirth and lasted 3 days. The uterine volume before and after treatment, and in 42 days of postpartum, the height decrease of the fundus of the uterus, the score of visual analogue scale (VAS) for uterine contraction, the volume of lochia rubra in 1 to 3 days of treatment, and lochia duration were compared between the two groups; and the clinical effect was evaluated. The uterine volume in the observation group was smaller than that of the control group after treatment (P<0.01). In 1 to 3 days of treatment, the height decrease of the fundus of the uterus in the observation group was larger (P<0.01), VAS scores of uterine contraction were lower (P<0.05, P<0.01), the lochia rubra volume was less (P<0.01) than those in the control group. The duration of lochia rubra and lochia was shorter (P<0.01) in the observation group when compared with that of the control group. The favorable rate of uterine involution in the observation group was 95.0% (38/40), higher than that of the control group (75.0%, 30/40, P<0.05). Penetrating-moxibustion therapy accelerates the recovery of the uterine volume, relieves uterine contraction, shortens the duration of lochia, reduces the lochia volume and promotes the postpartum uterine involution.

Injection of Intraumbilical Carbetocin versus Oxytocin in the Management of Retained Placenta

Injection of Intraumbilical Carbetocin versus Oxytocin in the Management of Retained Placenta

Estimation of udder emptying based on milk constituents of strip samples after milking

Milk ejection disorders were induced by oxytocin receptor blockade. We tested the hypothesis that the degree of udder emptying at incomplete milk ejection can be estimated based on the concentration of various milk constituents in different milk fraction samples. To induce different levels of spontaneous udder emptying (SUE) 10 Holstein dairy cows were milked either with or without i.v. injection of the oxytocin receptor blocking agent atosiban (ATO). In ATOearly, 12 µg/kg BW ATO was injected immediately before and in ATOlate directly after a 1-min manual udder preparation. The normal milking routine served as the control treatment. In all 3 treatments the udder was completely emptied by the i.v. injection of 10 IU oxytocin (OT) at the end of spontaneous milk flow. During all experimental milkings 4 milk samples were taken in all treatments: at the start of udder preparation (foremilk; FM), immediately after cessation of spontaneous milk flow and cluster detachment by hand stripping (strip milk; SM), from spontaneous removed milk in bucket 1 (milk before OT; MBOT) and from the milk obtained after OT injection in bucket 2 (milk after OT; MAOT). Fat, protein, lactose, and electrolytes (Na, Cl, and K) were measured in each milk sample. In addition, electrical conductivity (EC) was determined in parallel to continuous milk flow recording. The treatments induced individual degrees of SUE; therefore, the final evaluations of data were based on SUE classes instead of treatments. The most pronounced differences of milk constituents at different degrees of SUE were found for the milk fat content. The fat content of SM and MBOT remained almost unchanged up to 60% SUE, but was considerably higher if >80% of the milk was spontaneously removed. The concentrations of Na and Cl were highest and of K lowest if less than 20% of milk was received in the different samples. The EC was higher in SM and MBOT if <20% of milk was received. In conclusion, the blockade of the OT effect influences primarily the fat content, which confirmed an OT-induced fat secretion during milking. Similar effects are likely found in situations of disturbed milk ejections, caused by a lack of or reduced release of OT in response to different degrees of tactile udder stimulation. Our results show that the measurement of fat content and the EC in SM samples collected after cluster detachment can be used to estimate the completeness of udder emptying.

Subcutaneous Oxytocin Injection Reduces Heat Pain: A Randomized-Controlled Trial

Oxytocin (OT) is a neuropeptide broadly implicated in social relationships and behavior. OT also exerts antinociceptive and pain-reducing effects in both humans and rodents. Recent research in rodents demonstrates that these effects can be peripheral and local. In human studies, intravenous OT has reduced visceral pain, and subcutaneous injection of OT has reduced postsurgical pain. However, the local effects of subcutaneous OT on experimental pain have not been studied. We conducted a 2-session crossover study during which healthy adults received a subcutaneous injection of synthetic OT (4 mcg/2 mL) or saline placebo (isotonic saline 2 mL), in a randomized and double-blinded manner. Eighteen participants completed full study procedures. We hypothesized that 10 minutes after injection, OT would reduce measures of acute mechanical pain, pressure pain, and heat pain perception. Subcutaneous OT significantly reduced ratings of heat pain intensity and unpleasantness (both P < .01), but did not alter mechanical pain, pressure pain, or heat pain threshold (all P > .05). Changes in heat pain were observed only on the injected arm and not on the contralateral arm, confirming a localized mechanism. These findings confirm the ability of OT in or near the skin to modulate nociceptive processes in cutaneous tissues in human adults, opening exciting avenues for further mechanistic research as well as potential clinical applications for acute pain. PerspectiveThis randomized-controlled trial showed that a subcutaneous injection of OT could reduce perception of heat pain tested with a thermode. OT did not alter mechanical or pressure pain or thresholds for perceiving heat pain. These findings are relevant to scientists and clinicians seeking nonaddictive local drug treatments for pain.

Milking Temperament and Its Association with Test-Day Milk Yield in Bulgarian Murrah Buffaloes.

The goal of this research was to evaluate milking temperament and its relationship with test-day milk (TDMY0) yield in Bulgarian Murrah buffaloes. This study involved 90 buffalo cows reared under a tie-stall production system which were milked twice a day with a milking pipeline. The behavioral responses of the buffaloes were reported during preparation for milking and during actual milking. The average temperament score during preparation for milking was 1.83, and 1.93 during milking itself. The most common reaction was leg lifting (18.9%), followed by cows moving on the stall bed (10%), definite kicking (9.9%), and 13.3% managing to remove the milking cluster during milking. The frequency of buffaloes showing adverse reactions (scores 4 and 5) increased considerably during milking compared to preparation for milking. Repeated scoring of temperament during the same lactation did not show a significant difference in the frequency of temperament assessments both in preparation for milking and during milking. The minimal difference may be due to the accuracy of the assessment or a momentary change in the condition of the animals during the two scorings. Cows with the most unwanted milking behavior (scores 5 and 4) had the highest LS means for TDMY, 8.18 kg and 7.65 kg, respectively. The reasons for these buffaloes remaining until later lactations was their high milk yield and the injection of oxytocin before milking, which helps them to be fully milked.

Maintenance oxytocin in the immediate postpartum period: Frequency, determinants and practices in a tertiary maternity unit

ObjectiveTo prevent post-partum haemorrhage (PPH), national and international guidelines recommend the administration of a prophylactic injection of oxytocin after all vaginal births. Although additional maintenance oxytocin is not recommended in the immediate postpartum, its administration is quite common (30 % of French births in 2021). To assess in a single center, the frequency and determinants associated with the administration of maintenance oxytocin in immediate postpartum. Study designA retrospective observational single-centre study was conducted in a tertiary-care university centre in Paris (France), with data from April-May 2022. All women who gave birth vaginally at or after 37 weeks, except for those with immediate PPH. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed to compare determinants between the group receiving maintenance oxytocin and the control group without this intervention. A sensitivity analysis in a population of women at low risk of PPH was performed. Maternal, obstetrical, perinatal and organisational determinants were collected. ResultsThis study included 584 patients, 278 (47.6 %) of whom received maintenance oxytocin. We observed a significantly higher rate of maintenance oxytocin administration to parous women (OR 1.57, 90 %CI 1.09–2.27) and women with a history of PPH (OR 2.88, 90 %CI 1.08–9.08). Additional maintenance oxytocin was also administered more often when the midwife handling the birth had more than 5 years of practice since completion of training (OR 1.77, 1.24–2.53) or during night-time births (OR 1.47, 90 %CI 1.03–2.10). ConclusionMaintenance oxytocin administration is a frequent practice, performed for almost half the patients in our center. This practice is associated with maternal and obstetric factors, but also with health professionals' individual decisions and practices.

The Compatibility of Oxytocin and Tranexamic Acid Injection Products When Mixed for Coadministration by Infusion for the Treatment of Postpartum Hemorrhage: An In Vitro Investigation

(BJOG. 2023;130:741–749) Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is defined as the loss of more than 1000 mL of blood after childbirth. Signs and symptoms are present after birth, and they can be prevented. The World Health Organization has defined treatment for PPH. World Health Organization has created a bundle of recommendations based on evidence consisting of uterotonic medications, tranexamic acid (TXA), intravenous fluids, and uterine massage. This treatment bundle is known as E-MOTIVE intervention and is to be administered in cases of PPH.