The aim of the proposed research is to determine the effects of early oxytocin (OT) or oxytocin antagonists (OTA) on the development of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Oxytocin is known to decrease the activity of the HPA axis in voles and exposure to hormones during development affects receptor distribution and number. Neonatal exposure to OT is expected to result in decreased behavioral and endocrine response to stress through decreases in corticotropin releasing hormone and its receptors and an increase in OT and OT receptors. I anticipate OTA will produce opposite effects. Furthermore, I expect consequences of OT and OTA exposure to last into adulthood. I will test these hypotheses using prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster) as a model system. Results will have implications for human health as disregulation of the HPA axis is a risk factor for many health problems. Additionally, use of synthetic OT and OTAs to induce labor or prevent premature birth, respectively, is common. OT and OTA use in managing labor is increasing despite the fact that effects on infants are unstudied.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)
Type
Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F32)
Project #
1F32HD041293-01
Application #
6404480
Study Section
Human Embryology and Development Subcommittee 1 (HED)
Program Officer
Grave, Gilman D
Project Start
2001-08-01
Project End
Budget Start
2001-08-01
Budget End
2002-07-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2001
Total Cost
$33,260
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Maryland College Park
Department
Biology
Type
Schools of Earth Sciences/Natur
DUNS #
City
College Park
State
MD
Country
United States
Zip Code
20742
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