Modulatory 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. Wistar male rats were exposed to restraint for 1 hour; saline or drugs were administered intraperitoneally immediately after stress termination. Recording of the exploratory activity in the open-field started 60 min later. To explore the possibility of persisting effects of stress and/or drugs, the procedure was repeated for three consecutive days. Restraint moderately suppressed locomotion and rearing, and increased grooming. OXY in 0.3 mg/kg dose showed a tendency to restore the suppressed exploratory activity. In contrast, 1 mg/kg dose potentiated the stress-induced behavioral deficit. Both OXY doses slightly increased grooming. CBT in the same two doses restored the stress-induced deficits in locomotion and rearing but did not influence grooming. The locomotor depression after 1 mg dose of OXY was found also in non-stressed rats in contrast to the increased activity after CBT. The data support the view that post-stress administered CBT exerts a significant effect on the stress-altered spontaneous behavior.