Sakshi Aul

Oxytocin is a neuropeptide that plays a pivotal role in creating and maintaining social behaviors such as pair bonding, vigilance, and sexual reproduction. Although research indicates that oxytocin is involved in enhancing prosocial behaviors, other findings suggest that oxytocin is much more complex. The mechanisms by which oxytocin promotes social behavior are still unclear, but recent evidence has suggested that after oxytocin is administered there is a decrease in vigilant behaviors. Additionally, oxytocin systems are made further complex with potential sex differences regulated by hormones. This study investigates the effects of oxytocin on social behaviors in African lions, post intranasal oxytocin administration. Specifically, the researchers in this study investigated the implications of intranasal oxytocin administration of oxytocin on vigilance behaviors in African lions and whether those effects are sex-dependent. Upon statistical analysis, it was found that there is a significant reduction in vigilant behaviors when lions are administered oxytocin, however, those differences are not sex-dependent. These findings support the current body of research indicating that oxytocin enhances pro-sociality and suggest that further examination is crucial to investigate sex differences.