Friday, February 9, 2007
Hormone that Builds Trust
In this study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers showed the hormone's receptor may also facilitate the formation of trust demonstrated through social bonding. A hormone uses a receptor to bind to a cell and perform its duties.
The results showed that male and female mice that lacked the oxytocin receptor had problems forming trust and establishing normal social relationships.
For example, female mice lacking the oxytocin receptor had impaired nurturing abilities and were slow to retrieve their pups when they wandered off.
Male mice lacking the receptor tended to be more aggressive toward other males and had "social amnesia" when separated and reintroduced to a female. The males also had less vocalized calls and a greater tendency to move around and explore.
Researchers say other hormones may sometimes compensate for a lack of oxytocin, but this hormone appears to play a key role in social bonding and the formation of trust.
6:37 PM
let our love blossom this valentine..
