Salivary Oxytocin Concentrations in Males following Intranasal Administration of Oxytocin: A Double-Blind, Cross-Over Study.

Daughters K, Manstead AS, Hubble K, Rees A, Thapar A, van Goozen SH

PloS one15 Dec 2015Cited by 50 (Europe PMC)

PMID26669935PMCIDPMC4684402DOI10.1371/journal.pone.0145104PepBankPUB-26669935

Summary

The use of intranasal oxytocin (OT) in research has become increasingly important over the past decade. Although researchers have acknowledged a need for further investigation of the physiological effects of intranasal administration, few studies have actually done so. In the present double-blind cross-over study we investigated the longevity of a single 24 IU dose of intranasal OT measured in saliva in 40 healthy adult males. Salivary OT concentrations were significantly higher in the OT condition, compared to placebo. This significant difference lasted until the end of testing, approximately 108 minutes after administration, and peaked at 30 minutes. Results showed significant individual differences in response to intranasal OT administration. To our knowledge this is the largest and first all-male within-subjects design study to demonstrate the impact of intranasal OT on salivary OT concentrations. The results are consistent with previous research in suggesting that salivary OT is a valid matrix for OT measurement. The results also suggest that the post-administration 'wait-time' prior to starting experimental tasks could be reduced to 30 minutes, from the 45 minutes typically used, thereby enabling testing during peak OT concentrations. Further research is needed to ascertain whether OT concentrations after intranasal administration follow similar patterns in females, and different age groups.

CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study4

4 results from studies that gave the peptide. 4 results from people.

01HumanRandomized controlled trialPharmacokinetics
In healthy men, salivary oxytocin concentrations were significantly higher after a single 24 IU intranasal dose than after placebo.
In plain wordsIn healthy men, oxytocin in saliva was higher after a nasal dose of oxytocin than after placebo.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
IncreaseSalivary oxytocin concentration
Study
n = 40
Comparator
Placebo
Outcome group
Pharmacokinetics · Pharmacology
Studied dose
24 IU · intranasal · single doseAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
Salivary OT concentrations were significantly higher in the OT condition, compared to placebo.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
In the present double-blind cross-over study we investigated the longevity of a single 24 IU dose of intranasal OT measured in saliva in 40 healthy adult males.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2666993501
02HumanRandomized controlled trialPharmacokinetics
In healthy men, the significant difference in salivary oxytocin lasted until the end of testing, approximately 108 minutes after administration.
In plain wordsIn healthy men, saliva oxytocin stayed higher than placebo until the end of testing, about 108 minutes after the dose.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
IncreaseDuration of raised salivary oxytocin
Study
n = 40
Comparator
Placebo
Outcome group
Pharmacokinetics · Pharmacology
Studied dose
24 IU · intranasal · single doseAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
Duration of significant difference
≈ 108 minutes
salivary oxytocin
Source sentences
Summary
This significant difference lasted until the end of testing, approximately 108 minutes after administration
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
In the present double-blind cross-over study we investigated the longevity of a single 24 IU dose of intranasal OT measured in saliva in 40 healthy adult males.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2666993502
03HumanRandomized controlled trialPharmacokinetics
In healthy men, salivary oxytocin peaked at 30 minutes after intranasal administration.
In plain wordsIn healthy men, oxytocin in saliva peaked 30 minutes after the nasal dose.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
Not applicableTime of peak salivary oxytocin
Study
n = 40
Outcome group
Pharmacokinetics · Pharmacology
Studied dose
24 IU · intranasal · single doseAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
Time to peak
30 minutes
salivary oxytocin
Source sentences
Summary
and peaked at 30 minutes.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
In the present double-blind cross-over study we investigated the longevity of a single 24 IU dose of intranasal OT measured in saliva in 40 healthy adult males.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2666993503
04HumanRandomized controlled trialPharmacokinetics
In healthy men, the salivary oxytocin response to intranasal administration differed significantly between individuals.
In plain wordsIn healthy men, the oxytocin level in saliva after a nasal dose differed from person to person.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
Not applicableIndividual differences in salivary oxytocin response
Study
n = 40
Outcome group
Pharmacokinetics · Pharmacology
Studied dose
24 IU · intranasal · single doseAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
Results showed significant individual differences in response to intranasal OT administration.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
In the present double-blind cross-over study we investigated the longevity of a single 24 IU dose of intranasal OT measured in saliva in 40 healthy adult males.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2666993504

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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, 02:49 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

Subjects

Terms as the source lists them.

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