Oxytocin is a neurohormone that has been correlated with lactation, uterine-contractions, postpartum behavior, pro-social behavior, trust, empathy, and decreased anxiety. In addition, oxytocin is believed to underscore the tend-and-befriend response to stress. In this study, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), cortisol and oxytocin levels were measured in response to a social stressor in human participants. Oxytocin was initially seen to increase with ACTH and cortisol in response to a social stressor. As levels of oxytocin increase, levels of ACTH and cortisol were shown to decrease or plateau. I conclude that oxytocin is released in response to a perceived stressor and display inhibitory effects over ACTH and cortisol.
Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:CLAREMONT/oai:scholarship.claremont.edu:scripps_theses-1542 |
Date | 01 January 2015 |
Creators | Athanasios, Amira |
Publisher | Scholarship @ Claremont |
Source Sets | Claremont Colleges |
Detected Language | English |
Type | text |
Format | application/pdf |
Source | Scripps Senior Theses |
Rights | © 2014 Amira Athanasios, default |
Page generated in 0.0016 seconds