An increase in startle response in rats administered oxytocin.

Twenty-four male albino Wistar rats were allocated to four groups and given either 23.2, 11.6 or 5.8 IU OXT/kg or vehicle (0.9% saline). A significant increase in startle response was observed in the 11.6 and 5.8 IU OXT/kg groups when compared to vehicle. Our results further support the suggestion that OXT is a "stress hormone" by implicating this peptide with increased emotionality/reactivity during a stressful experience.