Effect of Neurosteroids on Basal and Stress-Induced Oxytocin Secretion in Luteal-Phase and Pregnant Sheep
May 2023
in “
Animals
”
TLDR Neurosteroids help regulate oxytocin levels, especially during stress and pregnancy, to protect against premature labor.
This study examined the effects of neurosteroids on oxytocin (OT) secretion in 36 luteal-phase and pregnant sheep under basal and stress conditions. Allopregnanolone (AL) was found to inhibit stress-induced OT secretion in non-pregnant sheep, while blocking neurosteroid synthesis with finasteride increased both basal and stress-induced OT secretion in pregnant sheep. The results suggest that neurosteroids play a crucial role in regulating OT secretion, particularly under stress and pregnancy conditions, potentially protecting the fetus from premature labor.