The Role of Oxytocin in Domestic Animal's Maternal Care: Parturition, Bonding, and Lactation

Abstract

Simple Summary: Oxytocin is one of the most important hormones in birth and lactation. Its importance lies in the fact that it is also involved in various bodily functions around parturition and establishing maternal behavior. We aimed to analyze all the facts involving oxytocin regulation and participation in different peripartum situations in domestic mammals. In addition, the authors examined the impact of altering normal plasma oxytocin values on maternal behavior and care, productive parameters, and imprinting. Oxytocin (OXT) is one of the essential hormones in the birth process; however, estradiol, prolactin, cortisol, relaxin, connexin, and prostaglandin are also present. In addition to parturition, the functions in which OXT is also involved in mammals include the induction of maternal behavior, including imprinting and maternal care, social cognition, and affiliative behavior, which can affect allo-parental care. The present article aimed to analyze the role of OXT and the neurophysiologic regulation of this hormone during parturition, how it can promote or impair maternal behavior and bonding, and its importance in lactation in domestic animals.