Sexual experience increases oxytocin receptor gene expression and protein in the medial preoptic area of the male rat.

Gil M, Bhatt R, Picotte KB, Hull EM

Psychoneuroendocrinology7 Mar 2013Cited by 38 (Europe PMC)

PMID23474276PMCIDPMC3715561DOI10.1016/j.psyneuen.2013.02.002PepBankPUB-23474276

Summary

The text of this summary is not shown here, because the article license does not allow reuse. Read it at the source (opens in a new tab)

Text rights: Publisher copyright. Results still quote short attributed sentences.

Results from this study3

1 result from studies that gave the peptide. No result from this study comes from people.

01AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome
In sexually naive male rats, oxytocin injected into the medial preoptic area facilitated mating.
In plain wordsIn male rats, oxytocin injected into a brain area for sexual behavior helped sexually naive males mate.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
IncreaseMating after intra-MPOA oxytocin in sexually naive males
Study
ratn: not reported in source
Male rats, medial preoptic area
Outcome group
Sexual function · Reproductive and sexual health
Studied dose
Dose not stated · intra-MPOA injectionAs given in this study (rat).
Source sentences
Summary
Finally, intra-MPOA injection of OT facilitated mating in sexually naive males.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Male rat sexual behavior is an excellent model for OT regulation of behavior, as its pattern and neural substrates are well characterized.
Report a problemFND-2347427601

Studies that did not test the peptide alone2

In this study, Oxytocin was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. These results are not evidence about taking Oxytocin.

02AnimalNot a test of Oxytocin aloneAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism
In male rats, copulation on the day of sacrifice stimulated oxytocin receptor mRNA expression in the medial preoptic area, with the highest levels in first-time copulators.
In plain wordsIn male rats, mating raised oxytocin receptor gene activity in a brain area. This is the receptor, not oxytocin itself.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
IncreaseOTR mRNA in the MPOA after copulation
Study
ratn: not reported in source
Male rats, medial preoptic area
Outcome group
Receptor activity and mechanism · Reproductive and sexual health
Source sentences
Summary
In the present studies, copulation on the day of sacrifice stimulated OTR mRNA expression in the MPOA, irrespective of previous sexual experience, with the highest levels observed in first-time copulators.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Male rat sexual behavior is an excellent model for OT regulation of behavior, as its pattern and neural substrates are well characterized.
In this study, Oxytocin was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Oxytocin.
Report a problemFND-2347427602
03AnimalNot a test of Oxytocin aloneAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism
In male rats, sexually experienced males had higher oxytocin receptor protein in the medial preoptic area than sexually naive males and first-time copulators.
In plain wordsIn male rats, sexually experienced males had more oxytocin receptor protein in a brain area than naive males. This is the receptor, not oxytocin.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
IncreaseOTR protein in the MPOA by sexual experience
Study
ratn: not reported in source
Male rats, medial preoptic area
Outcome group
Receptor activity and mechanism · Reproductive and sexual health
Source sentences
Summary
In addition, sexually experienced males had higher levels of OTR protein in the MPOA than sexually naïve males and first-time copulators.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Male rat sexual behavior is an excellent model for OT regulation of behavior, as its pattern and neural substrates are well characterized.
In this study, Oxytocin was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Oxytocin.
Report a problemFND-2347427603

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

Version 2Current
11 Oct 2026, 01:30 UTC
Study results updated
Version 1
9 Oct 2026, 02:50 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

Subjects

Terms as the source lists them.

PepBank is a research reference. Talk to a doctor before you use any peptide.