Oxytocin and carbetocin ameliorating effects on restraint stress-induced short- and long-term behavioral changes in rats.

Objectives: Carbetocin (CBT), an oxytocin (OXY) analog, was designed to exert prolonged peripheral actions. It has also been proposed as potential therapeutic mean in certain psychiatric disorders where OXY role has been implicated. This study examined the effects of both peptides on behavior of naive and restraint stress exposed rats in the open field (OF) and elevated plus maze (EPM) tests.

Sex differences in the effects of N,N-diethyllysergamide (LSD) on behavioural activity and prepulse inhibition.

The aim of this study was to describe sex differences in the behavioural effects of N,N-diethyllysergamide (LSD) (locomotor activity and other behavioural repertoire in the open field) and its effects on sensorimotor gating in rats (prepulse inhibition (PPI) of the acoustic startle reaction). Three groups of animals were analysed: males, oestral and pro-oestral phase females (EP females), and metoestral and dioestral phase females (MD females). LSD (5, 50 and 200 microg/kg subcutaneously) attenuated locomotor activity and normal behavioural repertoire, and induced flat body posture, wet dog shakes and disrupted PPI.

Oxytocin and carbetocin effects on spontaneous behavior of male rats: modulation by oxytocin receptor antagonists.

Objectives: Oxytocin (OXY) in addition to peripheral actions has many central regulatory functions which can be studied on animal models. In the present study we examined in rats, which behavioral actions of OXY and long-acting carba-analog of OXY carbetocin (CBT) in the open-field can be inhibited by OXY-receptor antagonists. Our interest focused on the behavioral patterns considered indicative of anxiety-related behavior.

Modulary effects of oxytocin and carbetocin on stress-induced changes in rat behavior in the open-field.

Oxytocin (OXY) has been shown to attenuate some of the physiological and behavioral alterations appearing in stressed rats. Carbetocin (CBT), an oxytocin analog [deamino-1-monocarba-(2-O-methyltyrosine)-oxytocin], was designed to exert prolonged action. In the present study we investigated the impact of these peptides on the behavioral changes in rats exposed repeatedly to restraint stressors.

Novel and simple behavioral paradigm for assessing anxiety in rats: effect of diazepam.

Objectives: Anxiety is an emotional state experienced by people, and is not readily modeled in animals. In order to extend till now ethologically derived paradigms used in the evaluation of anxiety and fear in rodents, a modified open-field was designed.

Methods: Spontaneous behavior of male rats was investigated in the elevated arena; the bottom was divided by inter-space of different width (2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 cm) into two identical parts.