Oxytocin as a modulator for puberty development and its role in social cognition

Abstract

Oxytocin (OXT) is a nine amino acid neuropeptide produced in the hypothalamus and released by the posterior pituitary of the brain. OXT are mainly involved in neurotransmitter/neuro-modulatory function in central nervous system. Traditionally OXT was considered as female hormone due to its involvement in uterine contraction during parturition and milk ejection during lactation. But in males, OXT modulates sexual/mating, behaviour, ejaculation and participates in contractile activity of seminiferous tubules (ST) that helps in transfer of sperm to epididymis. Recent study provide an evidence that OXT plays an important role during peri-pubertal development and affects social behaviour by altering neural structure and function. It is now revealed that OXT modulates hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis during puberty. Earlier study showed expression of OXT in gonads during puberty in male. However, recently OXT is also known to be involved in the in the regulation and release of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH). Hormonal events play a significant role in brain-behaviour interactions. However, only limited studies are known about the mechanism by which OXT link with various behavioural activities of childhood, adolescence and adult life. The present review suggests involvement of oxitocinergic system in the regulation of HPG axis during pubertal development and social cognition in the mammals. © 2020 by Nova Science Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved.