Inhibitory Influence of Exogenous Oxytocin on Adrenocorticotropin Secretion in Normal Human Subjects*

Abstract

Oxytocin has been suggested to have behavioral effects opposite to those of vasopressin, and exogenous vasopressin is known to induce ACTH release in man. Thus, we tested the influence of exogenous oxytocin on blood levels of ACTH and cortisol during insulin-induced hypoglycemia and after vasopressin injection. Our results demonstrate an inhibitory effect of exogenous oxytocin on ACTH release and support the hypothesis of a reciprocal, balanced modulation of behavioral and neuroendocrine function by the two closely related neurohormones, vasopressin and oxytocin.