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Salivary Oxytocin

Salivary Oxytocin Quick Start Research Guide

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1. How to collect Salivary Oxytocin

APPROVED SALIVARY OXYTOCIN COLLECTION METHODS

Passive Drool Saliva Collection Kit

SalivaBio Passive Drool Method

Use With: Adults, Children 6+

Salivary Oxytocin Collection Protocol

Collection volume, general considerations, and basic guidelines to maximize salivary oxytocin sample integrity. Use this analyte-specific collection protocol to plan you collection methodology and sampling schemes.

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2. How to Assay for Salivary Oxytocin

Easy and accurate results from the most trusted Salivary Bioscience Laboratory.

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3. Technical Summary

Analyte Summary
Analyte: Oxytocin
Aliases: Oxt, OT
Serum-Saliva Correlation: N/A
*Optimum Collection Volume: 150 μL
*Add 300 µl to the total volume of all tests for liquid handling
Assay Summary
Methodology: Electrochemiluminescence
Sensitivity: 4 pg/mL
Assay Range: 8-1000 pg/mL
Assay Type: Quantitative

Background

Oxytocin (H-Cys(1)-Tyr-Ile-Gln-Asn-Cys(1)-Pro-Leu-Gly-NH2), a neurohypophysial peptide hormone, consists of nine amino acids linked with a [1-6] disulfide bond and a semi-flexible carboxyamidated tail. In humans, oxytocin is primarily synthesized in the hypothalamus and secreted into the bloodstream by the posterior pituitary gland. Oxytocin is released through a positive feedback mechanism where secretion of the hormone stimulates more of its own release. Previous research using plasma and serum has determined that oxytocin exists both as a cyclic active molecule and, through disulfide exchange, complexed with other disulfide containing proteins (1). Frequently called the “love and bonding hormone,” oxytocin is most known for its role in sexual reproduction and mother-infant interactions such as breastfeeding (2). In both sexes, oxytocin is released during romantic behaviors such as hugging, kissing, and sexual activity. In the female body, oxytocin is implicated in advancing uterine contractions and ‘milk letdown’ during lactation. During labor, oxytocin stimulates the uterine muscles, which further intensifies the contractions. Once the baby is born, this analyte promotes lactation by increasing movement of milk from the breast alveoli to the nipple, signaling its release during breastfeeding. In men, oxytocin has a role in moving sperm as well as well as in regulating testosterone production. Research suggests that oxytocin functions as a neurotransmitter, plays a role in determining social behavior (3,4), and is a crucial part of both male and female reproductive physiology, while it is also potentially involved in neuropsychiatric disorders such as anxiety and schizophrenia (5). Many mental illnesses, social/relationship issues, and atypical parenting behaviors have been correlated to abnormal oxytocin levels (6). Low levels of this analyte have been linked to autistic spectrum disorders, depression, and addiction (7,8). People with higher levels of oxytocin typically have fewer depressive symptoms and have stronger social ties than those with lower oxytocin levels. However, elevated oxytocin levels can also intensify past memories, which may induce heightened feelings of stress and social anxiety (9,10). Men with elevated levels of oxytocin may develop benign prostatic hyperplasia, which often causes urinary complications. In summary, oxytocin is part of a complex psychological and biological system which reinforces many of the typical human emotions and guides social interactions.

References & Salivary Oxytocin Research

  1. Brandtzaeg, O. K. et al. Proteomics tools reveal startlingly high amounts of oxytocin in plasma and serum. Scientific Reports 6, (2016).
  2. Feldman, R., Weller, A., Zagoory-Sharon, O. & Levine, A. Evidence for a Neuroendocrinological Foundation of Human Affiliation. Psychological Science 18, 965–970 (2007).
  3. Algoe, S. B., Kurtz, L. E. & Grewen, K. Oxytocin and Social Bonds: The Role of Oxytocin in Perceptions of Romantic Partners’ Bonding Behavior. Psychological Science 28, 1763–1772 (2017).
  4. Isgett, S. F. et al. Supplemental Material for Influences of Oxytocin and Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia on Emotions and Social Behavior in Daily Life. Emotion 17, 1156–1165 (2017).
  5. Keri, S., Kiss, I. & Kelemen, O. Sharing secrets: Oxytocin and trust in schizophrenia. Social Neuroscience 4, 287–293 (2008).
  6. Jobst, A. et al. Oxytocin course over pregnancy and postpartum period and the association with postpartum depressive symptoms. Archives of Womens Mental Health 19, 571–579 (2016).
  7. Husarova, V. M. et al. Plasma Oxytocin in Children with Autism and Its Correlations with Behavioral Parameters in Children and Parents. Psychiatry Investigation 13, 174 (2016).
  8. Holt-Lunstad, J., Birmingham, W. & Light, K. C. The influence of depressive symptomatology and perceived stress on plasma and salivary oxytocin before, during and after a support enhancement intervention. Psychoneuroendocrinology 36, 1249–1256 (2011).
  9. Weisman, O., Zagoory-Sharon, O., Schneiderman, I., Gordon, I. & Feldman, R. Plasma oxytocin distributions in a large cohort of women and men and their gender-specific associations with anxiety. Psychoneuroendocrinology 38, 694–701 (2013).
  10. Paul, M. Study Finds Oxytocin Strengthens Memories of Both Bad and Good Events. News Center (2013). Available at: http://news.feinberg.northwestern.edu/2013/07/oxytocin_stress/.

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