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Oxytocin promotes social bonding in dogs - Coggle Diagram
Oxytocin promotes social bonding in dogs
Introduction
Behavioral ecology theory which states sociability evolved to either reduce predation or increase the likeliness of getting food
New evidence shows that social bonds are important in their fitness
In order to understand the neurochemistry and neural circuitry of it all the neuropeptide oxytocin (OT) was looked at
OT can be involved in social behaviors in humans and nonprimates
A study on domestic dogs using pharmacological studies was done
Methods
The experiment was done on 16 dogs all of which were older than 12 months of age
Blood, urine, OT, and heart rates were measured on the dogs and analyzed using statistical analysis
All of the dogs were companion dogs
some of the subjects were given 40 IU of OT or a placebo and the dogs behavior was monitored with their owner as they entered the room and moved to various positions at timed intervals
Behaviors of the dogs were measured and recorded to see how close the dog stayed to the owner along with other social orientations
Results
Those with OT administered had higher urinary levels of OT
OT treatment was associated with increased social interactions with the owners
After OT intake, dogs affiliated with their owners much more than the saline placebo
Immediate reciprocation of affiliated triggered the release of endogenous OT.
OT was higher in the test groups for their blood and urine
Discussion
OT motivates social bonding beyond genetic ties or between individuals from distant species
Social-positive behaviors associated with bond maintenance triggers the release of OT.
OT might be an important mechanism that allowed the cooperation between related and unrelated individuals.
Reference:Romero T, Nagasawa M, Mogi K, Hasegawa T, Kikusui T. 2014. Oxytocin promotes social bonding in dogs. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 111(25):9085–9090. doi:10.1073/pnas.1322868111.
https://www.pnas.org/content/111/25/9085
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