Related Experiment Videos
[Plasma oxytocin levels during lactation (author's transl)]
Annales D'Endocrinologie
|January 1, 1978
Summary
During suckling, endogenous plasma oxytocin levels fluctuate rapidly, indicating spurt releases of oxytocin (OT). These findings reveal the dynamic nature of OT secretion in response to natural stimuli.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Neuroscience
Context:
- Suckling is a critical physiological stimulus in mammals.
- Endogenous hormone levels require precise measurement techniques.
Purpose:
- To quantify endogenous plasma oxytocin levels during suckling.
- To investigate the pattern of oxytocin release in response to suckling.
Summary:
- Endogenous plasma oxytocin levels were measured using radioimmunoassay (RIA) during suckling.
- Observed rapid fluctuations in oxytocin levels, ranging from 10 to 129 mU/ml.
- These fluctuations suggest pulsatile or spurt releases of oxytocin.
Impact:
- Provides insights into the neuroendocrine regulation of lactation and maternal behavior.
- Highlights the dynamic secretion patterns of oxytocin.
- Establishes a quantitative basis for understanding oxytocin's role during suckling.