Intranasally administered oxytocin affects how dogs (Canis familiaris) react to the threatening approach of their owner and an unfamiliar experimenter

Hernádi, Anna; Kis, Anna; Kanizsár, Orsolya; Tóth, Katinka; Miklósi, Bernadett; Topál, József

doi:10.1016/j.beproc.2015.07.001

Cited by 53 publications

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“…Dogs received a single intranasal dose of 12 IU (3 puffs) oxytocin (Syntocinon, Novartis) or placebo (isotonic sodium chloride 0.9% solution) in a double blind design that has already been proved to have both physiological (decreased heart rate and increased heart rate variability) and behavioral effects in dogs (e.g., Hernádi et al, 2015;Kis et al, 2015;Kovács et al, 2016). The oxytocin or placebo administration was followed by a 40-minutelong waiting period (following the protocol by Kis et al, 2014b) that is presumed to be necessary for the central neuropeptide levels to reach plateau (Born et al, 2002).…”

Section: Oxytocin or Placebo Treatmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Differential effects of oxytocin on social sensitivity in two distinct breeds of dogs ( Canis familiaris )

Kovács

Kis

Pogány

et al. 2016

Psychoneuroendocrinology

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Please cite this article as: {http://dx.doi.org/This is a PDF file of an unedited manuscript that has been accepted for publication. As a service to our customers we are providing this early version of the manuscript. The manuscript will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and review of the resulting proof before it is published in its final form. Please note that during the production process errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain.Effects of oxytocin on social sensitivity in two breeds of dogs Kovács et al. HighlightsBreed-specific effects of oxytocin on dogs' social responsiveness were found Genetic and epigenetic factors might contribute to differential oxytocin effects Border Collies are more human oriented than Siberian Huskies Oxytocin affects some social behaviors irrespective of breed Sex differences can be found in the effect of oxytocin on dogs Effects of oxytocin on social sensitivity in two breeds of dogs Kovács et al. 3 ABSTRACTDogs have been proven to show several human-analogue social behaviors, and recent research raises the possibility that the oxytocin system is related to these. However, despite dogs' general tendency to excel in the domain of social cognition, there is increasing evidence that dogs' ability to utilize human signals may vary with breed. Moreover, breeds may show differences not only in their ‗inborn' communicative abilities, but also in their learning skills related to these. The aim of the present study was to explore breed differences and breedspecific effects of oxytocin administration on different aspects of social responsiveness. Dogs from two markedly different breeds, Border Collies (cooperative workers) and Siberian Huskies (independent workers) were tested. After having received intranasal administration of oxytocin or placebo, subjects participated in three behavioral tests measuring social responsiveness. Our results show that there are several behavioral differences between the two breeds and also that there are differential effects of the oxytocin treatment. Border Collies were in general more susceptible to the ‗social' effects of oxytocin compared to Siberian Huskies: after oxytocin administration they (1) looked more at the experimenter in the ‗Unreachable food' situation, (2) looked more at the owner and shifted their gaze more between the sound source and the owner in a potentially dangerous situation, and (3) looked longer at the experimenter's eyes in the ‗Tolerance of prolonged eye contact' test. These findings suggest that selection for enhanced cooperative abilities, possibly complemented by the effect of different social environments the two breeds experience, affects dogs' performance in several behavioral tests and that the neurohormonal background differently modulates social behavior in different working breeds. KeywordsEffects of oxytocin on social sensitivity in two breeds of dogs Kovács et al. 4Oxytocin; Dog (Canis familiaris); Breed differences; Social responsiveness E...

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Section: Oxytocin or Placebo Treatmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Differential effects of oxytocin on social sensitivity in two distinct breeds of dogs ( Canis familiaris )

Kovács

Kis

Pogány

et al. 2016

Psychoneuroendocrinology

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“…For example, polymorphisms in the oxytocin receptor ( OXTR ) gene were associated with dogs’ proximity seeking with the owner (Kis et al, 2014), rough temperament in cats (Arahori et al, 2015), and sociability in humans (Li et al, 2015). Furthermore, oxytocin has been associated with social fear (Kirsch et al, 2005), aggression toward unfamiliar individuals (Stallen et al, 2012) and social anxiety (Grillon et al, 2013) in humans, and friendliness toward a threatening human in dogs (Hernádi et al, 2015). In particular, Hernádi et al (2015) showed that dogs, after intranasal oxytocin administration, showed less friendliness toward the owner approaching them in a threatening way (in the so-called Threatening Approach test, originally developed and validated by Vas et al (2005, 2008) and looked more at their owners standing behind them than a control group of dogs who received a placebo.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Social Behavior of Pet Dogs Is Associated with Peripheral OXTR Methylation

et al. 2017

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Oxytocin is a key modulator of emotional processing and social cognitive function. In line with this, polymorphisms of genes involved in oxytocin signaling, like the oxytocin receptor (OXTR) gene, are known to influence social behavior in various species. However, to date, no study has investigated environmental factors possibly influencing the epigenetic variation of the OXTR gene and its behavioral effects in dogs. Pet dogs form individualized and strong relationships with their owners who are central figures in the social environment of their dogs and therefore might influence the methylation levels of their OXTR gene. Here we set out to investigate whether DNA methylation within the OXTR promoter region of pet dogs is linked to their owner’s interaction style and to the social behavior of the dogs. To be able to do so, we collected buccal epithelial cells and, in Study 1, we used pyrosequencing techniques to look for differentially methylated CpG sites in the canine OXTR promoter region on a heterogeneous sample of dogs and wolves of different ages and keeping conditions. Four identified sites (at positions -727, -751, -1371, and -1383 from transcription start site) showing more than 10% methylation variation were then, in Study 2, measured in triplicate in 217 pet Border Collies previously tested for reactions to an adverse social situation (i.e., approach by a threatening human) and with available data on their owners’ interaction styles. We found that CpG methylation was significantly associated with the behavior of the dogs, in particular with the likelihood that dogs would hide behind their owner or remain passive when approached by a threatening human. On the other hand, CpG methylation was not related to the owners’ behavior but to dog sex (at position -1371). Our findings underpin the complex relationship between epigenetics and behavior and highlight the importance of including epigenetic methods in the analysis of dog behavioral development. Further research is needed to investigate which environmental factors influence the epigenetic variation of the OXTR gene.

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“…In this way, the Topal group showed very recently in 2015 that dogs receiving intranasal oxytocin showed less friendly first reaction and individual differences in aggression to an unfamiliar experimenter, as compared to placebo, in a specific design behavioural task for dogs called Threatening Approach Test [50]. Also, in piglets, which are considered to be much more closer in brain anatomy, growth and development to the human brain, as compared for example to the classical rodent models [56], the group of Rault et al in Australia showed that neonatally oxytocin-treated piglets received and performed more aggressive behaviours, then the controls, possibly by reducing the HPA axis [51].…”

Section: Oxytocin and Aggressionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…the vasopressin/oxytocin signalling systems are involved in a variety of functions such as reproduction, immunity and thermoregulation, but with focus on the social manifestations connected with affiliation and aggression [42]) and lately, there is increased interest in understanding the role of (especially intranasal) oxytocin on the main neuropsychiatric disorders such as autism [45], schizophrenia [46], anxiety [47], depression, Prader Willi syndrome [48] or even psychopathy [49] and the variety of behaviours exhibited by the relevant central areas, including aggression [50][51][52].…”

Section: Oxytocin and Aggressionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Short Review on the Aggressive Behaviour: Genetical, Biological Aspects and Oxytocin Relevance

Pădurariu

Prepelita

Ciobîcă

et al. 2016

ILNS

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Abstract.In this mini-review we were interested in describing the main genetic, biological and mechanistic aspects of the aggressive behaviour in human patients and animal models. It seems that violent behaviour and impulsive traits present a multifactorial substrate, which is determined by genetic and non-genetic factors. Thus, aggressivity is regulated by brain regions such as the amygdala, which controls neural circuits for triggering defensive, aggressive or avoidant behaviour. Moreover, other brain structures such as the anterior cingulate cortex and prefrontal cortex regions could modulate circuits involved in aggression. Regarding the genetic aspects, we could mention the mutations in the monoamine oxidase or the polymorphisms of the genes involved in the metabolism of serotonin, such as tryptophan hydroxylase. Also, besides the low levels of serotonin metabolites, which seem to be associated with impulsive and aggressive traits, there are good evidences that deficiencies in glutamate transmission, as well as testosterone, vasopressin, hypochloesterolemia or oxytocin modifications could be related to the aggressive behaviour. Regarding oxytocin we present here in the last chapter the controversial results from the current literature regarding the various effects exhibited by oxytocin administration on the aggressive behavior, considering the increased interest in understanding the role of oxytocin on the main neuropsychiatric disorders. Introducing the concept of aggressionBased on the etymological analysis, the word aggression comes from Latin, from aggressio, signifying attack, and also from the verb aggredior, which can be translated as "to go against something or someone", "to approach someone with a purpose ", or "to assault" [1]. Thus, aggression basically describes a state of the psychophysiological system that allows the individual to respond with a set of hostile behaviours in the conscious, unconscious, or phantasy plan towards the destruction, coercion, degradation, humiliation of a meaningful thing or being, that the abuser perceives as such and represent a challenge for him/her [2].Moreover, according to a general dictionary of psychology, the term aggression is defined as: 1. the tendency to display hostility by manifestation of aggressive acts; 2. the tendency to overcome any encountered oppositions; 3. the tendency of self-assertion by unswerving manifesting of self interests; 4. hiperenergy in one's attitudes and reactions; 5. the constant tendency of domination within the social group or community [3].In addition, from a psycho-sociological perspective, the aggressiveness as physical expression of the aggressive impulses is perceived by the existence of the behavioural intent to cause moral or psychological suffering to others. The human aggressive behaviour has on one hand an innate feature and, on the other hand, is acquired during the course of anthropogenic evolution. Also, if in the primitive societies the aggression consisted only in physical attacks as violence, in modern society ...

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Intranasally administered oxytocin affects how dogs (Canis familiaris) react to the threatening approach of their owner and an unfamiliar experimenter

Cited by 53 publications

References 38 publications

Differential effects of oxytocin on social sensitivity in two distinct breeds of dogs ( Canis familiaris )

Differential effects of oxytocin on social sensitivity in two distinct breeds of dogs ( Canis familiaris )

Social Behavior of Pet Dogs Is Associated with Peripheral OXTR Methylation

Short Review on the Aggressive Behaviour: Genetical, Biological Aspects and Oxytocin Relevance

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