Table 5 Some examples of oxytocin (OT) response after different stimuli
Stressful condition | Reference | Animals | Sample size | Sampling times | Results (UI/L, unless indicated, median values are expressed) | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Transport and lairage to slaughterhouse | López-Arjona et al. [38] | Female at end-fattening period (5–6 months) LargeWhite x Pietrain | 45 | Before, immediately after and at 4 h from transport | Between 1.38–1.73-fold decrease at 4 h, depending on the method | Two methods used (one with a monoclonal and other with a polyclonal antibody) |
Positive human-animal interaction | Lürzel et al. [43] | LargeWhite × Landrace sows (22 ± 7 months old and 48 days pregnant) | 18 | Just before and after the trial | No significant changes were observed | Positive correlation between OT concentration and duration of being stroked |
Ejaculation | López-Arjona et al. [45] | Boars of three different breeds (2 Landrace, 13 Duroc, 18 Pietrain) | 33 | 24 h before ejaculate collection, immediately after starting the ejaculation and 2 h after ejaculation | Significant increase from 775.6 (24 h before) to 1077.0 pg/mL (at starting ejaculation) | Higher responses in younger boars, boars with higher libido intensity and Pietrain breed |