Systemic oxytocin treatment modulates alpha 2-adrenoceptors in telencephalic and diencephalic regions of the rat

Systemic subchronic oxytocin treatment significantly and substantially incr eased the B-max values of the alpha2 agonist [H-3]UK14.304 binding sites in the hypothalamus, the amygdala and the paraventricular thalamic nucleus of the rat as shown by quantitative receptor autoradiography. These results s uggest that long-term modulation of autonomic and neuroendocrine functions and emotional behaviours elicited by brain oxytocin may involve enhancement of central alpha2-adrenoceptor function. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science BN. All rights reserved.