Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Oxytocin and Steroid Actions

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Behavioral Pharmacology of Neuropeptides: Oxytocin

Part of the book series: Current Topics in Behavioral Neurosciences ((CTBN,volume 35))

Abstract

Biosynthesis and secretion of the hypothalamic nonapeptide oxytocin largely depends on steroid hormones. Estradiol, corticosterone, and vitamin D seem to be the most prominent actors. Due to their lipophilic nature, systemic steroids are thought to be capable of crossing the blood–brain barrier, thus mediating central functions including neuroendocrine and behavioral control. The actual mode of action of steroids in hypothalamic circuitry is still unknown: Most of the oxytocinergic perikarya lack nuclear steroid receptors but express proteins suspected to be membrane receptors for steroids. Oxytocin expressing neurons contain enzymes important for intrinsic steroid metabolism. Furthermore, they produce and probably liberate specific steroid-binding globulins. Rapid responses to steroid hormones may involve these binding proteins and membrane-associated receptors, rather than classic nuclear receptors and genomic pathways. Neuroendocrine regulation, reproductive behaviors, and stress response seem to depend on these mechanisms.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 189.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 249.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 249.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Acevedo-Rodriguez A, Mani SK, Handa RJ (2015) Oxytocin and estrogen receptor beta in the brain: an overview. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 6:160

    Google Scholar 

  • Aikey JL, Nyby JG, Anmuth DM et al (2002) Testosterone rapidly reduces anxiety in male house mice (Mus musculus). Horm Behav 42:448–460

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Alexandrova M, Soloff MS (1980a) Oxytocin receptors and parturition. II. Concentrations of receptors for oxytocin and estrogen in the gravid and nongravid uterus at term. Endocrinology 106:736–738

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Alexandrova M, Soloff MS (1980b) Oxytocin receptors and parturition. III. Increases in estrogen receptor and oxytocin receptor concentrations in the rat myometrium during prostaglandin F2 alpha-induced abortion. Endocrinology 106:739–743

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Allan GM, Cranston L, Lindblad A et al (2016) Vitamin D: a narrative review examining the evidence for ten beliefs. J Gen Intern Med 31:780–791

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Amico JA, Crowley RS, Insel TR et al (1995) Effect of gonadal steroids upon hypothalamic oxytocin expression. Adv Exp Med Biol 395:23–35

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Amico JA, Mantella RC, Vollmer RR et al (2004) Anxiety and stress responses in female oxytocin deficient mice. J Neuroendocrinol 16:319–324

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Berdusco ETM, Yang K, Hammond GL et al (1995) Corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG) production by hepatic and extra-hepatic sites in the ovine fetus; effects of CBG on glucocorticoid negative feedback on pituitary cells in vitro. J Endocrinol 146:121–130

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bitran D, Kellogg CK, Hilvers RJ (1993) Treatment with an anabolic-androgenic steroid affects anxiety-related behavior and alters the sensitivity of cortical GABAA receptors in the rat. Horm Behav 27:568–583

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Blanco E, Pilgrim C, Vazquez R et al (1991) Plasticity of the interface between oxytocin neurons and the vasculature in late pregnant rats: an ultrastructural morphometric study. Acta Histochem 91:165–172

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Caldwell JD (2002) A sexual arousability model involving steroid effects at the plasma membrane. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 26:13–30

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Caldwell JD, Jirikowski GF (2013) An active role for steroid binding globulins: an update. Horm Metab Res 45:477–484

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Caldwell JD, Moe BD (1999) Conjugated estradiol increases female sexual receptivity in response to oxytocin infused into the medial preoptic area and medial basal hypothalamus. Horm Behav 35:38–46

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Caldwell JD, Pedersen CA, Prange AJ Jr (1984a) Oxytocin facilitates sexual behavior in estrogen-treated rats. Soc Neurosci Abstracts 10:170

    Google Scholar 

  • Caldwell JD, Pedersen CA, Prange AJ Jr (1984b) Oxytocin facilitates sexual behavior in estrogen-treated ovariectomized rats. J Steroid Biochem 20:1510

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Caldwell JD, Prange AJ Jr, Pedersen CA (1986) Oxytocin facilitates the sexual receptivity of estrogen-treated female rats. Neuropeptides 7:175–189

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Caldwell JD, Brooks PJ, Jirikowski GF et al (1989) Estrogen alters oxytocin mRNA levels in the preoptic area. J Neuroendocrinol 1:273–278

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Caldwell JD, Walker CH, Pedersen CA et al (1992) Effects of steroids and mating on central oxytocin receptors. Ann N Y Acad Sci 652:433–436

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Caldwell JD, Walker CH, Pedersen CA et al (1994) Estrogen increases affinity of oxytocin receptors in the medial preoptic area-anterior hypothalamus. Peptides 15:1079–1084

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Caldwell JD, Walker CH, Faggin BM et al (1995) Characterization of progesterone-3-[125I-BSA] binding sites in the medial preoptic area and anterior hypothalamus. Brain Res 693:225–232

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Caldwell JD, Morris MA, Walker CH et al (1996a) Estradiol conjugated to BSA releases oxytocin from synaptosome-containing homogenates from the medial preoptic area-hypothalamus. Horm Metab Res 28:119–121

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Caldwell JD, Walker CH, O’rourke ST et al (1996b) Analogies between oxytocin systems of the uterus and brain. Horm Metab Res 28:65–74

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Caldwell JD, O’rourke ST, Morris M et al (1997) Steroid effects at the membrane level on oxytocin systems. Ann N Y Acad Sci 814:282–286

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Caldwell JD, Moe BD, Hoang J et al (2000) Sex hormone binding globulin stimulates female sexual receptivity. Brain Res 874:24–29

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Caldwell JD, Hoefle S, Englof I (2002) Sex hormone binding globulin facilitates female sexual receptivity except when coupled to dihydrotestosterone. Brain Res 948:102–107

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Caldwell JD, Suleman F, Chou SH-H et al (2006) Emerging roles of steroid binding globulins. Horm Metab Res 38:206–218

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Carter CS (1992) Oxytocin and sexual behavior. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 16:131–144

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Carter CS, Altemus M (1997) Integrative functions of lactational hormones in social behavior and stress management. Ann N Y Acad Sci 807:164–174

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Carter CS, Williams JR, Witt DM et al (1992) Oxytocin and social bonding. Ann N Y Acad Sci 652:204–211

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Carter CS, Devries AC, Taymans SE et al (1997) Peptides, steroids, and pair bonding. Ann N Y Acad Sci 807:260–272

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Champagne F, Diorio J, Sharma S et al (2001) Naturally occurring variations in maternal behavior in the rat are associated with differences in estrogen-inducible central oxytocin receptors. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 98:12736–12741

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cohen H, Kaplan Z, Kozlovsky N et al (2010) Hippocampal microinfusion of oxytocin attenuates the behavioural response to stress by means of dynamic interplay with the glucocorticoid-catecholamine responses. J Neuroendocrinol 22:889–904

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Eckstein M, Becker B, Scheele D et al (2015) Oxytocin facilitates the extinction of conditioned fear in humans. Biol Psychiatry 78:194–202

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Eckstein M, Scheele D, Patin A et al (2016) Oxytocin facilitates Pavlovian fear learning in males. Neuropsychopharmacology 41:932–939

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • El-Emam Dief A, Caldwell JD, Jirikowski GF (2013) Colocalization of p450 aromatase and oxytocin immunostaining in the rat hypothalamus. Horm Metab Res 45:273–276

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Engelmann M, Ebner K, Landgraf R et al (1999) Emotional stress triggers intrahypothalamic but not peripheral release of oxytocin in male rats. J Neuroendocrinol 11:867–872

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Erhart G, Jirikowski GF, Pilgrim C et al (1985) Hypothalamo-neurohypophysial system in hagfish: localization of neurophysin-, arg-vasopressin- and oxytocin-like immunoreactivity. Basic Appl Histochem 29:289–296

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Feldman D, Mondon CE, Horner JA et al (1979) Glucocorticoid and estrogen regulation of corticosteroid-binding globulin production by rat liver. Am J Physiol 237:E493–E499

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Filardo EJ, Thomas P (2005) GPR30: a seven-transmembrane-spanning estrogen receptor that triggers EGF release. Trends Endocrinol Metab 16:362–367

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Filardo EJ, Quinn JA, Bland KI et al (2000) Estrogen-induced activation of Erk-1 and Erk-2 requires the G protein-coupled receptor homolog, GPR30, and occurs via trans-activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor through release of HB-EGF. Mol Endocrinol 14:1649–1660

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Filardo EJ, Quinn JA, Frackelton AR et al (2002) Estrogen action via the G protein-coupled receptor, GPR30: stimulation of adenylyl cyclase and cAMP-mediated attenuation of the epidermal growth factor receptor-to-MAPK signaling axis. Mol Endocrinol 16:70–84

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fuchs AR, Fuchs F, Husslein P et al (1982) Oxytocin receptors and human parturition: a dual role for oxytocin in the initiation of labor. Science 215:1396–1398

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fuchs AR, Periyasamy S, Alexandrova M et al (1983a) Correlation between oxytocin receptor concentration and responsiveness to oxytocin in pregnant rat myometrium: effects of ovarian steroids. Endocrinology 113:742–749

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fuchs AR, Periyasamy S, Soloff MS (1983b) Systemic and local regulation of oxytocin receptors in the rat uterus, and their functional significance. Can J Biochem Cell Biol 61:615–624

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Garcia-Barrado MJ, Blanco EJ, Catalano-Iniesta L et al (2016) Relevance of pituitary aromatase and estradiol on the maintenance of the population of prolactin-positive cells in male mice. Steroids 111:121–126

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Grinevich V, Knobloch-Bollmann HS, Eliava M et al (2016) Assembling the puzzle: pathways of oxytocin signaling in the brain. Biol Psychiatry 79:155–164

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hammond GL, Bocchinfuso WP (1995) Sex hormone binding globulin/androgen binding protein: steroid-binding and dimerization domains. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 53:543–562

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hammond GL, Smith CL, Goping IS et al (1987) Primary structure of human corticosteroid binding globulin, deduced from hepatic and pulmonary cDNAs, exhibits homology with serine protease inhibitors. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 84:5153–5157

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Handa RJ, Nunley KM, Lorens SA et al (1994) Androgen regulation of adrenocorticotropin and corticosterone secretion in the male rat following novelty and foot shock stressors. Physiol Behav 55:117–124

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Haussler HU, Jirikowski GF, Caldwell JD (1990) Sex differences among oxytocin-immunoreactive neuronal systems in the mouse hypothalamus. J Chem Neuroanat 3:271–276

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hazell GG, Yao ST, Roper JA et al (2009) Localisation of GPR30, a novel G protein-coupled oestrogen receptor, suggests multiple functions in rodent brain and peripheral tissues. J Endocrinol 202:223–236

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Herbert Z, Jirikowski GF, Petrusz P et al (2003) Distribution of androgen binding globulin in the rat hypothalamo-hypophyseal system, co-localization with oxytocin. Brain Res 992:151–158

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Herbert Z, Gothe S, Caldwell JD et al (2004) Sex hormone-binding globulin/SHBG is produced in human hypothalamic neurons. FENS Abstr 2:A056.6

    Google Scholar 

  • Herbert Z, Gothe S, Caldwell JD et al (2005) Characterization of sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) in the human hypothalamus. Neuroendocrinology 81:286–293

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Herbert Z, Pollak EI, Molnar L et al (2006) Co-transport of sex hormone binding globulin/SHBG with oxytocin in transport vesicle of the hypothalamo-hypophyseal system. Horm Metab Res 38:291–293

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Herman JP, Mcklveen JM, Solomon MB et al (2012) Neural regulation of the stress response: glucocorticoid feedback mechanisms. Braz J Med Biol Res 45:292–298

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hiroi R, Lacagnina AF, Hinds LR et al (2013) The androgen metabolite, 5alpha-androstane-3beta,17beta-diol (3beta-diol), activates the oxytocin promoter through an estrogen receptor-beta pathway. Endocrinology 154:1802–1812

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hofmann SG, Fang A, Brager DN (2015) Effect of intranasal oxytocin administration on psychiatric symptoms: a meta-analysis of placebo-controlled studies. Psychiatry Res 228:708–714

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Insel TR, Winslow JT, Witt DM (1992) Homologous regulation of brain oxytocin receptors. Endocrinology 130:2602–2608

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Insel TR, Young L, Witt DM et al (1993) Gonadal steroids have paradoxical effects on brain oxytocin receptors. J Neuroendocrinol 5:619–628

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jirikowski G (1985) Cyanogen bromide cleavage of methionine residues as a control method for enkephalin immunocytochemistry. Histochemistry 83:93–95

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jirikowski GF (1992) Oxytocinergic neuronal systems during mating, pregnancy, parturition, and lactation. Ann N Y Acad Sci 652:253–270

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jirikowski GF, Caldwell JD, Pedersen CA et al (1988) Estradiol influences oxytocin-immunoreactive brain systems. Neuroscience 25:237–248

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jirikowski GF, Caldwell JD, Pilgrim C et al (1989) Changes in immunostaining for oxytocin in the forebrain of the female rat during late pregnancy, parturition and early lactation. Cell Tissue Res 256:411–417

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jirikowski GF, Ramalho Ortigao FJ, Caldwell JD (1991a) Transitory coexistence of oxytocin and vasopressin in the hypothalamo neurohypophysial system of parturient rats. Horm Metab Res 23:476–480

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jirikowski GF, Caldwell JD, Haussler HU et al (1991b) Mating alters topography and content of oxytocin immunoreactivity in male mouse brain. Cell Tissue Res 266:399–403

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jirikowski GF, Mcgimsey WC, Caldwell JD et al (1993) Distribution of oxytocinergic glucocorticoid target neurons in the rat hypothalamus. Horm Metab Res 25:543–544

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jirikowski GF, Pusch L, Mopert B et al (2007) Expression of corticosteroid binding globulin in the rat central nervous system. J Chem Neuroanat 34:22–28

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jirikowski GF, Kauntzer U, Dief AE et al (2009) Distribution of vitamin D binding globulin (DBG) expressing neurons in the rat hypothalamus. Histochem Cell Biol 131:365–370

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Karl A, Malta LS, Maercker A (2006) Meta-analytic review of event-related potential studies in post-traumatic stress disorder. Biol Psychol 71:123–147

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kendrick KM (2000) Oxytocin, motherhood and bonding. Exp Physiol 85S:111S–124S

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Knobloch HS, Grinevich V (2014) Evolution of oxytocin pathways in the brain of vertebrates. Front Behav Neurosci 8:31

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Koshimizu TA, Nakamura K, Egashira N et al (2012) Vasopressin V1a and V1b receptors: from molecules to physiological systems. Physiol Rev 92:1813–1864

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kozlovsky N, Matar MA, Kaplan Z et al (2009) A distinct pattern of intracellular glucocorticoid-related responses is associated with extreme behavioral response to stress in an animal model of post-traumatic stress disorder. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 19:759–771

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kudwa AE, Mcgivern RF, Handa RJ (2014) Estrogen receptor beta and oxytocin interact to modulate anxiety-like behavior and neuroendocrine stress reactivity in adult male and female rats. Physiol Behav 129:287–296

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liberzon I, Young EA (1997) Effects of stress and glucocorticoids on CNS oxytocin receptor binding. Psychoneuroendocrinology 22:411–422

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liberzon I, Chalmers DT, Mansour A et al (1994) Glucocorticoid regulation of hippocampal oxytocin receptor binding. Brain Res 650:317–322

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Light KC, Grewen KM, Amico JA (2005) More frequent partner hugs and higher oxytocin levels are linked to lower blood pressure and heart rate in premenopausal women. Biol Psychol 69:5–21

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Liu J, Bisschop PH, Eggels L et al (2012) Intrahypothalamic estradiol modulates hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal-axis activity in female rats. Endocrinology 153:3337–3344

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lund TD, Munson DJ, Haldy ME et al (2004a) Androgen inhibits, while oestrogen enhances, restraint-induced activation of neuropeptide neurones in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus. J Neuroendocrinol 16:272–278

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lund TD, Munson DJ, Haldy ME et al (2004b) Dihydrotestosterone may inhibit hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal activity by acting through estrogen receptor in the male mouse. Neurosci Lett 365:43–47

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lund TD, Rovis T, Chung WC et al (2005) Novel actions of estrogen receptor-beta on anxiety-related behaviors. Endocrinology 146:797–807

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lund TD, Hinds LR, Handa RJ (2006) The androgen 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone and its metabolite 5alpha-androstan-3beta, 17beta-diol inhibit the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal response to stress by acting through estrogen receptor beta-expressing neurons in the hypothalamus. J Neurosci 26:1448–1456

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mantella RC, Vollmer RR, Li X et al (2003) Female oxytocin-deficient mice display enhanced anxiety-related behavior. Endocrinology 144:2291–2296

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mccarthy MM, Mcdonald CH, Brooks PJ et al (1996) An anxiolytic action of oxytocin is enhanced by estrogen in the mouse. Physiol Behav 60:1209–1215

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mcewen BS (1997a) Possible mechanisms for atrophy of the human hippocampus. Mol Psychiatry 2:255–262

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mcewen BS (1997b) The brain is an important target of adrenal steroid actions. A comparison of synthetic and natural steroids. Ann N Y Acad Sci 823:201–213

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mcgrath J, Feron F, Eyles D et al (2001) Vitamin D: the neglected neurosteroid? Trends Neurosci 24:570–572

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Miller SC, Kennedy CA, Devoe D et al (2009) An examination of changes in oxytocin levels in men and women before and after interaction with a bonded dog. Anthrozoos 22:31–42

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mopert B, Herbert Z, Caldwell JD et al (2004) Distribution of corticosteroid-binding globulin in the rat hypothalamus, colocalization with oxytocin and vasopressin. FENS Abstr 2:A089.011

    Google Scholar 

  • Mopert B, Herbert Z, Caldwell JD et al (2006) Expression of corticosterone binding globulin CBG in the rat hypothalamus. Horm Metab Res 38:246–252

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Murakami G (2016) Distinct effects of estrogen on mouse maternal behavior: the contribution of estrogen synthesis in the brain. PLoS One 11:e0150728

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Murphy D, Konopacka A, Hindmarch C et al (2012) The hypothalamic-neurohypophyseal system: from genome to physiology. J Neuroendocrinol 24:539–553

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nomura M, Mckenna E, Korach KS et al (2002) Estrogen receptor-beta regulates transcript levels for oxytocin and arginine vasopressin in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus of male mice. Brain Res Mol Brain Res 109:84–94

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ochedalski T, Subburaju S, Wynn PC et al (2007) Interaction between oestrogen and oxytocin on hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity. J Neuroendocrinol 19:189–197

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Oettl LL, Ravi N, Schneider M et al (2016) Oxytocin enhances social recognition by modulating cortical control of early olfactory processing. Neuron 90:609–621

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ostrowski NL, Young WS-R, Lolait SJ (1995) Estrogen increases renal oxytocin receptor gene expression. Endocrinology 136:1801–1804

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Owman C, Blay P, Nilsson C et al (1996) Cloning of human cDNA encoding a novel heptahelix receptor expressed in Burkitt’s lymphoma and widely distributed in brain and peripheral tissues. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 228:285–292

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Oyola MG, Portillo W, Reyna A et al (2012) Anxiolytic effects and neuroanatomical targets of estrogen receptor-beta (ERbeta) activation by a selective ERbeta agonist in female mice. Endocrinology 153:837–846

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Panksepp J (1992) Oxytocin effects on emotional processes: separation distress, social bonding, and relationships to psychiatric disorders. Ann N Y Acad Sci 652:243–252

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Patchev VK, Schlosser SF, Hassan AH et al (1993) Oxytocin binding sites in rat limbic and hypothalamic structures: site-specific modulation by adrenal and gonadal steroids. Neuroscience 57:537–543

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Patisaul HB, Scordalakes EM, Young LJ et al (2003) Oxytocin, but not oxytocin receptor, is regulated by oestrogen receptor beta in the female mouse hypothalamus. J Neuroendocrinol 15:787–793

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Patrick RP, Ames BN (2014) Vitamin D hormone regulates serotonin synthesis. Part 1: relevance for autism. FASEB J 28:2398–2413

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pedersen CA, Prange AJ Jr (1979) Induction of maternal behavior in virgin rats after intracerebroventricular administration of oxytocin. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 76:6661–6665

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pedersen CA, Ascher JA, Monroe YL et al (1982) Oxytocin induces maternal behavior in virgin female rats. Science 216:648–649

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Petersson M, Uvnas-Moberg K (2003) Systemic oxytocin treatment modulates glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid receptor mRNA in the rat hippocampus. Neurosci Lett 343:97–100

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Petersson M, Hulting AL, Uvnas-Moberg K (1999) Oxytocin causes a sustained decrease in plasma levels of corticosterone in rats. Neurosci Lett 264:41–44

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Popick FR (2004) Application of a new intracerebroventricular injection technique in rat brain norepinephrine studies. Life Sci 18:197–204

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Prufer K, Jirikowski GF (1997) 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptor is partly colocalized with oxytocin immunoreactivity in neurons of the male rat hypothalamus. Cell Mol Biol 43:543–548

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Qian X, Droste SK, Gutierrez-Mecinas M et al (2011) A rapid release of corticosteroid-binding globulin from the liver restrains the glucocorticoid hormone response to acute stress. Endocrinology 152:3738–3748

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sakamoto H, Matsuda K, Hosokawa K et al (2007) Expression of G protein-coupled receptor-30, a G protein-coupled membrane estrogen receptor, in oxytocin neurons of the rat paraventricular and supraoptic nuclei. Endocrinology 148:5842–5850

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sapolsky RM, Krey LC, Mcewen BS (1984) Glucocorticoid-sensitive hippocampal neurons are involved in terminating the adrenocortical stress response. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 81:6174–6177

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schlosser SF, Almeida OF, Patchev VK et al (1994) Oxytocin-stimulated release of adrenocorticotropin from the rat pituitary is mediated by arginine vasopressin receptors of the V1b type. Endocrinology 135:2058–2063

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Serova LI, Harris HA, Maharjan S et al (2010) Modulation of responses to stress by estradiol benzoate and selective estrogen receptor agonists. J Endocrinol 205:253–262

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shapiro LE, Insel TR (1992) Oxytocin receptor distribution reflects social organization in monogamous and polygamous voles. Ann N Y Acad Sci 652:448–451

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sharma SC, Chaurdhury RR (1970) The uterus-stimulating activity of the plasma of male rabbits before and after mating. J Endocrinol 47:385–386

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sharma OP, Hays RL (1973) Release of an oxytocic substance following genital stimulation in bulls. J Reprod Fertil 35:359–362

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sharma SC, Fitzpatrick RJ, Ward WR (1973) Coital-induced release of oxytocin in the ram. Proc Soc Study Fertil 31:488–489

    Google Scholar 

  • Siiteri PK, Murai JT, Hammond GL et al (1982) The serum transport of steroid hormones. Recent Prog Horm Res 38:457–510

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sivukhina EV, Jirikowski GF (2014) Adrenal steroids in the brain: role of the intrinsic expression of corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG) in the stress response. Steroids 81:70–73

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Smock T, Albeck D, Stark P (1998) A peptidergic basis for sexual behavior in mammals. Prog Brain Res 119:467–481

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Soloff M, Swartz T, Morrison M et al (1973) Oxytocin receptors: oxytocin analogs, but not prostaglandins, compete with 3H-oxytocin for uptake by rat uterus. Endocrinology 92:104–107

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Suzuki S, Handa RJ (2005) Estrogen receptor-beta, but not estrogen receptor-alpha, is expressed in prolactin neurons of the female rat paraventricular and supraoptic nuclei: comparison with other neuropeptides. J Comp Neurol 484:28–42

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ter Horst JP, De Kloet ER, Schachinger H et al (2012) Relevance of stress and female sex hormones for emotion and cognition. Cell Mol Neurobiol 32:725–735

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Thibonnier M, Conarty DM, Preston JA et al (1998) Molecular pharmacology of human vasopressin receptors. Adv Exp Med Biol 449:251–276

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Thomas P, Pang Y, Filardo EJ et al (2005) Identity of an estrogen membrane receptor coupled to a G-protein in human breast cancer cells. Endocrinology 146:624–632

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Toufexis DJ, Myers KM, Davis M (2006) The effect of gonadal hormones and gender on anxiety and emotional learning. Horm Behav 50:539–549

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Uvnas-Moberg K, Alster P, Lund I et al (1996) Stroking of the abdomen causes decreased locomotor activity in conscious male rats. Physiol Behav 60:1409–1411

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Walbert T, Jirikowski GF, Prufer K (2001) Distribution of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptor immunoreactivity in the limbic system of the rat. Horm Metab Res 33:525–531

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang YM, Bayliss DA, Millhorn DE et al (1990) The androgen-binding protein gene is expressed in male and female rat brain. Endocrinology 127:3124–3130

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang C, Prossnitz ER, Roy SK (2008) G protein-coupled receptor 30 expression is required for estrogen stimulation of primordial follicle formation in the hamster ovary. Endocrinology 149:4452–4461

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Windahl SH, Andersson N, Chagin AS et al (2009) The role of the G protein-coupled receptor GPR30 in the effects of estrogen in ovariectomized mice. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 296:E490–E496

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Windle RJ, Shanks N, Lightman SL et al (1997) Central oxytocin administration reduces stress-induced corticosterone release and anxiety behavior in rats. Endocrinology 138:2829–2834

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Windle RJ, Kershaw YM, Shanks N et al (2004) Oxytocin attenuates stress-induced c-fos mRNA expression in specific forebrain regions associated with modulation of hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal activity. J Neurosci 24:2974–2982

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wotjak CT, Naruo T, Muraoka S et al (2001) Forced swimming stimulates the expression of vasopressin and oxytocin in magnocellular neurons of the rat hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus. Eur J Neurosci 13:2273–2281

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Young LJ (1999) Frank A. Beach Award. Oxytocin and vasopressin receptors and species-typical social behaviors. Horm Behav 36:212–221

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Young LJ, Winslow JT, Wang Z et al (1997) Gene targeting approaches to neuroendocrinology: oxytocin, maternal behavior, and affiliation. Horm Behav 31:221–231

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Young LJ, Wang Z, Donaldson R et al (1998) Estrogen receptor alpha is essential for induction of oxytocin receptor by estrogen. Neuroreport 9:933–936

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Inst. Anatomy II, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany

    Gustav F. Jirikowski

  2. Dept. of Pharmacology, Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, Spartanburg, SC, USA

    Scott D. Ochs & Jack D. Caldwell

Authors
  1. Gustav F. Jirikowski
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Scott D. Ochs
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Jack D. Caldwell
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Gustav F. Jirikowski .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, University of Bonn, Bonn, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany

    Rene Hurlemann

  2. Schaller Research Group on Neuropeptides German Cancer Research Center, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, BW, Germany

    Valery Grinevich

  3. Central Institute of Mental Health, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, BW, Germany

    Valery Grinevich

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2017 Springer International Publishing AG

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Jirikowski, G.F., Ochs, S.D., Caldwell, J.D. (2017). Oxytocin and Steroid Actions. In: Hurlemann, R., Grinevich, V. (eds) Behavioral Pharmacology of Neuropeptides: Oxytocin. Current Topics in Behavioral Neurosciences, vol 35. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/7854_2017_9

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation