Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Oxytocin is a nonapeptide hormone synthesized in the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei of the hypothalamus. Oxytocin has an effect on uterine smooth muscle contraction, blood pressure, memory, learning capability, nursing, sexual and feeding behavior. Oxytocin and vasopressin stimulate the release of insulin and glucagon from the rat pancreas. Multi organelle effects of oxytocin make it as important hormone in body.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of exogenous oxytocin injection on blood glucose level in rat.

Material and methods: Eight adult female rats were divided into 3 groups, one as control and two experimental models have been used to study the effects of oxytocin hormone on the blood glucose level. The rats received 0.2 IU/kg oxytocin via intrapleural (IP) in treatment 1 (T1) and the same volume of normal saline solution in control group. Blood glucose level measured 20 min after injection by collecting the blood from tail. For treatment 2 (T2), animals survived for four month with condition of standard humidity and temperature and they were used for second experimental model. The rats received 0.4 IU/kg oxytocin via IP and the same volume of normal saline solution for control group. Blood glucose level measured same as first treatment.

Results: The results showed that blood glucose level in T1 (99.45±4.86) and T2 (68.08±4.86) were significantly lower compared to the control group (170.2±4.86) (P < 0.05). Also blood glucose level in T1 (99.45±4.86) was significantly higher than T2 (68.08±4.86) (P<0.05).

Conclusions: These in vivo results suggest that oxytocin dose has significant effect on the blood glucose level. With respect to results of this study with increasing the dose of oxytocin in animals the level of blood glucose decreased.