Developmental programming of oxytocin through variation in early-life stress: Four meta-analyses and a theoretical reinterpretation.

Ellis BJ, Horn AJ, Carter CS, van IJzendoorn MH, Bakermans-Kranenburg MJ

Clinical psychology review15 Feb 2021Cited by 74 (Europe PMC)

PMID33770582DOI10.1016/j.cpr.2021.101985PepBankPUB-33770582

Publisher page PubMedAsk about this study

Summary

Despite evidence supporting a role for oxytocin (OT) in regulating social behavior, surprisingly little is known about how this neuropeptide is calibrated during development. We systematically reviewed empirical studies in humans (k = 86 publications reporting on 66 independent samples; N = 7319) that examined associations between early-life stress and three OT system components: endogenous OT, methylation of the OT receptor gene (OXTRm), and biological and behavioral responses to intranasally administered OT. In a series of meta-analyses, we found some evidence that people who grew up under more adverse conditions tend to have lower endogenous OT (children: r = .12; adults: r = .09), that early adversity is associated with higher levels of OXTRm (r = .02), and that adults who report lower levels of childhood adversity tend to show more positive responses to intranasally administered OT (r = .12). These results were found in typical populations, and were in most cases absent in clinical samples. We discuss these findings in terms of both the prevailing medical model (focusing on the harmful effects of early-life stress) and the adaptive calibration model (focusing on developmental adaptation of biobehavioral systems to early conditions) and suggest that an adaptation-based approach could meaningfully advance research and intervention on the sequelae of early adversity.

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

Results from this study3

1 result from studies that gave the peptide. 1 result from people.

01HumanSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome
In adults, lower reported childhood adversity was associated with more positive biological and behavioral responses to intranasally administered oxytocin (r = .12).
In plain wordsIn adults, less childhood adversity was linked to more positive responses to nasal oxytocin, mostly in typical populations.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
IncreaseResponse to intranasal oxytocin by childhood adversity
Study
n: not reported in source
Outcome group
Social behavior and cognition · Mental health and mood
Studied dose
Dose not stated · intranasalAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
adults who report lower levels of childhood adversity tend to show more positive responses to intranasally administered OT (r = .12)
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
These results were found in typical populations, and were in most cases absent in clinical samples.
Summary · context
We systematically reviewed empirical studies in humans (k = 86 publications reporting on 66 independent samples; N = 7319) that examined associations between early-life stress and three OT system components: endogenous OT, methylation of the OT receptor gene (OXTRm), and biological and behavioral responses to intranasally administered OT.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3377058203

Natural levels measured2

These results measure the body's own peptide. Nobody was given the peptide. They are not evidence about taking it. They are left out of key results, evidence counts and charts.

02HumanEndogenous levelSystematic reviewOther
In children, a meta-analysis linked more adverse early conditions to lower endogenous oxytocin (r = .12), in typical but mostly not in clinical samples.
In plain wordsIn children, harder early-life conditions were linked to lower levels of the body's own oxytocin, mostly in typical populations.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
DecreaseEndogenous oxytocin and early-life adversity (children)
Study
n: not reported in source
Outcome group
Endogenous peptide levels · Endocrine and hormones
Source sentences
Summary
people who grew up under more adverse conditions tend to have lower endogenous OT (children: r = .12
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
These results were found in typical populations, and were in most cases absent in clinical samples.
Summary · context
We systematically reviewed empirical studies in humans (k = 86 publications reporting on 66 independent samples; N = 7319) that examined associations between early-life stress and three OT system components: endogenous OT, methylation of the OT receptor gene (OXTRm), and biological and behavioral responses to intranasally administered OT.
This result measures the body's own Oxytocin. Nobody was given the peptide. It is not evidence about taking it.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3377058201
03HumanEndogenous levelSystematic reviewOther
In adults, a meta-analysis linked more adverse early conditions to lower endogenous oxytocin (r = .09), in typical but mostly not in clinical samples.
In plain wordsIn adults, harder early-life conditions were linked to lower levels of the body's own oxytocin, mostly in typical populations.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
DecreaseEndogenous oxytocin and early-life adversity (adults)
Study
n: not reported in source
Outcome group
Endogenous peptide levels · Endocrine and hormones
Source sentences
Summary
people who grew up under more adverse conditions tend to have lower endogenous OT (children: r = .12; adults: r = .09
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
These results were found in typical populations, and were in most cases absent in clinical samples.
Summary · context
We systematically reviewed empirical studies in humans (k = 86 publications reporting on 66 independent samples; N = 7319) that examined associations between early-life stress and three OT system components: endogenous OT, methylation of the OT receptor gene (OXTRm), and biological and behavioral responses to intranasally administered OT.
This result measures the body's own Oxytocin. Nobody was given the peptide. It is not evidence about taking it.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3377058202

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

Registered trials1

Trials this study reports on, or that list this study as a reference. Registry data from ClinicalTrials.gov.

1 trial · 1 completed · source ClinicalTrials.gov (opens in a new tab)

CompletedNot applicableNCT05766852

Potential Benefits of the Somatic Psychoeducational Intervention

University of Floridan = 3123 Oct 2023 to 11 Apr 2024

Work Related Stress

Trial page ClinicalTrials.govUpdated 10 Nov 2025

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
9 Oct 2026, 18:17 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.

Publication types

MeSH terms

Keywords

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