Endocrine Abstracts

The neuropeptide oxytocin is the most recent peptide to have emerged from a new field of research investigating the physiological underpinnings of human social behaviour. Whilst previous studies have focused on the role of touch as an effective method of priming, this study investigated the role of social vocalisation as a potential priming method of endogenous oxytocin release. 40 female participants, aged between 18 and 21 years of age, were randomly allocated into either a primed or unprimed condition. Primed participants engaged in a phone call with their mothers, whilst unprimed participants rang a cinema hotline. The study illustrated that primed participants had significantly higher oxytocin concentrations compared to unprimed participants. Interestingly, primed participants’ baseline oxytocin concentrations were also higher than unprimed participants, thus there appears to be an anticipation response in primed participants. The results provide initial evidence for maternal vocalisation as an effective priming method for endogenous oxytocin in young adults.