포유류에서 옥시토신은 다양한 기능을 가지고 있는 신경뇌하수체 호르몬이다. 옥시토신은 주로 젖의 분비를 일으키고 분만 시 자궁의 수축 및 모성 행동과 관계가 있다. 모성 행동은 스트레스에 의해 억압을 받으며 옥시토신에 의해 촉진된다. 본 연구는 제왕절개의 스트레스와 자궁내 옥시투여에 따른 모성 행동의 변화를 알아보기 위해 수행되었다. 본 실험 결과, 자연 분만 예에서 스트레스를 준 개체와 스트레스를 주지 않은 개체에서 새끼의 생존율을 비교한 결과, 스트레
Oxytocin is a neurohypophyseal hormone which has multiple functions in mammals. Mainly, oxytocin regulates milk ejection and has an effect on uterine contraction and is related to maternal behavior. Maternal behavior is believed to be suppressed by stress and facilitated by oxytocin. In the cesarean section, oxytocin may be administrated into uterus to promote uterine involution. The present study aimed to test the effect of oxytocin into uterus on maternal behavior of rats with cesarean section. It was measured the effects on maternal behavior of oxytocin infused into uterus in rats with cesarean section as a stressor. In the first experiment, pup survival rate of between a control group and a group with laparotomy as a stress in natural parturition rats was compared. In the second experiment, survival rate for 2 weeks and maternal pup searching behavior (MPSV) were observed in one cesarean sectioned group without oxytocin and the other cesarean sectioned group with oxytocin. Infanticide was observed in stressed group in the first experiment while a normal maternal behavior was observed in a control one. In the second experiment, MPSV was only observed in a cesarean sectioned group with oxytocin and infanticide was observed in two groups except one rat which is thought to be affected by oxytocin as operated relatively late. This is the first study to show that the administration of oxytocin into uterus in the cesarean section is not involved in the regulation of maternal behavior in rats. In conclusion, this study proves the needs of oxytocin into brain in cesarean section related rats model and further study of maternal behavior list, like MPSV.