Oxytocin administration modulates rats' helping behavior depending on social context

The affiliative effect of oxytocin on behavior toward other individuals can be modulated by positive and negative aspects of those individuals. However, the context-dependent effect of oxytocin on helping behavior is still unclear. In this study, we examined the effect of oxytocin administration on helping behavior in rats. The rats learned to open a door to help a cagemate soaked with water. The rats were divided into Pair and Solo groups. The rats in the Pair group were housed with their cagemates and those in the Solo group were housed individually. The rats in both groups received oxytocin (1.0 mg/kg) or saline injections intraperitoneally for 5 consecutive days before starting the experimental sessions. In the rats injected with oxytocin, the Solo group showed helping behavior faster than those in the Pair group. The results suggest that the effects of oxytocin administration on helping behavior are dependent on the social context.