Developmental Exposure to Oxytocin--Animal Models

该项目的目的是研究催产素（OT）的发育暴露的短期和长期后果。OT的时间参数，剂量和特异性将在实验中进行检查，这些实验将用于定义项目II-IV的更细粒度分析的动物模型。本项目的动物将用于项目IV，分析发育期间OT给药的直接结果cFos变化。将在大鼠和田鼠中检查基本功能，包括生长模式、生殖和基础内分泌参数。待研究的行为和内分泌措施是已被证明在成年期对OT敏感的功能。在这些行为中，要测量的是生育、母性行为、交配和自然发情，以及沿着疼痛阈值。待测量的内分泌参数包括类固醇和肽类激素（包括OT和AVP）。我们还将检查这些动物的生长模式和代谢激素，包括CCK，胰岛素和葡萄糖。

The purpose of the project is to examine the short-term and long-term consequence of developmental exposure of oxytocin (OT). The time parameters, doses and specificity of OT will be examined, in experiments that will be used to define animal models for the more fine-grained analyses of Projects II-IV. Animals from this project will be used in Project IV in an analysis of cFos changes as an immediate result of treatment with OT during development. Basic functions, including patterns of growth, reproduction and basal endocrine parameters will be examined in rats and voles. The behaviors and endocrine measures to be studied are functions which have been shown to be sensitive to OT in adulthood. Among the behaviors to be measured are birth, maternal behavior and mating and natural estrus, along with pain thresholds. Among the endocrine parameters to be measured are steroid and peptide hormones (including OT and AVP). We also will examine the growth patterns of these animals and metabolic hormones including CCK, insulin, as well as glucose.