I am looking at a copy of Jaak Panksepp's Affective Neuroscience and it notes that once maternal behavior is established, oxytocin is not necessary for the display of maternal behavior. Blocking oxytocin prior to the birth of pups will impair maternal behavior but if a mother is able to interact with the pups for a few days, an oxytocin antagonist will not block maternal behavior. Also, it notes that experience alone is enough to establish maternal behavior:
Rosenblatt, J. S. (1967). Nonhormonal basis of maternal behavior in the rat. Science, 204, 1313-1314.
Oxytocin is found in the CNS and may be important for the formation of social bonds in general. Here is a reference that indicates that low doses may be important in social recognition:
Popik, P., Vetulani, J., & Van Ree, J.M. (1992). Low does of oxytocin facilitate social recognition in rats. Psychopharmacol. 106, 71-74.
Also, Panksepp notes that sexual experiences increases the synthesis of oxytocin in the male brain.
Hope this helps,
Cheri
**********************
Cheri A. Budzynski, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Psychology
Heidelberg College
310. E. Market Street
Tiffin, Ohio 44883
(419) 448-2000 ext. 2251
(419) 893-1986 ext. 4005
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