scholarly journals The influence of rs53576 and rs2254298 oxytocin receptor gene polymorphisms on plasma oxytocin levels and measures of empathy

2019 ◽  
Vol 71 (1) ◽  
pp. 159-165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jelena Basic ◽  
Vuk Milosevic ◽  
Milos Stankovic ◽  
Tatjana Jevtovic-Stoimenov ◽  
Tatjana Cvetkovic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Receptor Gene ◽  
Oxytocin Receptor ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽  
Oxytocin Receptor Gene ◽  
Hormone Effects ◽  
Empathy Quotient ◽  
Receptor Gene Polymorphisms ◽  
Oxtr Rs53576 ◽  
And Function

Oxytocin achieves its effects after binding the oxytocin receptor (OXTR). Oxytocin plays an important role in empathy. The aim of this study was to examine the influence of two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the OXTR gene (rs53576 and rs2254298) on empathy measures and plasma oxytocin levels. Seventy-four university students were screened for the OXTR rs53576 and rs2254298 SNPs using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. The level of oxytocin in the plasma was measured by the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). All subjects were assessed with the empathy quotient (EQ) questionnaire and Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET). Subjects carrying the rs53576 GG genotype had a higher EQ score, compared to GA/AA genotype carriers. By gender analysis, significance was reached only in females. Considering the influence of both examined polymorphisms on empathy, participants with the GGGG diplotype had a higher EQ in comparison with GAGG/AAGG carriers. These hormone effects were not correlated with plasma oxytocin levels. This is the first study implying that higher empathy in rs53576 GG genotype carriers may not depend on plasma oxytocin levels, but possibly on the number and function of OXTRs in the brain.

scholarly journals The relation between Oxytocin Receptor Gene polymorphisms, adult attachment and Instagram sociability: an exploratory analysis

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandro Carollo ◽  
Andrea Bonassi ◽  
Ilaria Cataldo ◽  
Giulio Gabrieli ◽  
Moses Tandiono ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Behavior ◽  
Adult Attachment ◽  
Behavioral Genetics ◽  
Receptor Gene ◽  
Oxytocin Receptor ◽  
Oxytocin Receptor Gene ◽  
Gene Environment ◽  
Receptor Gene Polymorphisms ◽  
Oxtr Rs53576 ◽  
Desirability Index

So far literature considered the association between environmental factors (i.e. involved in adult relationships) and genetic vulnerability on Oxytocin Receptor Gene (OXTR) in the comprehension of social behavior. Although an extensive knowledge on in-person social interactions has been obtained, little is known about online social behavior. A gene-environment perspective is adopted to examine how OXTR and adult attachment moderate Instagram behavior. The Experience in Close Relationships-Revised (ECR-R) questionnaire was used to collect participants' (N = 57, 16 males) attachment with their partners. The genetic factors within the regions OXTR rs53576 (A/A homozygotes vs. G-carriers) and rs2254298 (G/G homozygotes vs. A-carriers) were assessed. Number of posts, followed people ("followings") and followers were obtained from Instagram, and the Social Desirability Index was calculated as the ratio of followers to followings. Interaction effects between OXTR groups and ECR-R scores on the number of posts and SDI were hypothesised. Results showed an effect of rs53576 on the number of Instagram followings. Specifically, A/A homozygotes had more followings than G-carriers independently of the quality of the relationship with their partner. These preliminary results are discussed in light of the debate of behavioral genetics and offer insights into future investigations on social media behavior.

scholarly journals Associations between Oxytocin Receptor Gene Polymorphisms, Empathy towards Animals and Implicit Associations towards Animals

Animals ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (8) ◽  
pp. 140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melanie Connor ◽  
Alistair Lawrence ◽  
Sarah Brown
Keyword(s):  
Social Behaviour ◽  
Allelic Variation ◽  
Receptor Gene ◽  
Oxytocin Receptor ◽  
Implicit Associations ◽  
Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽  
Psychological Variables ◽  
Oxytocin Receptor Gene ◽  
Receptor Gene Polymorphisms ◽  
Human Social Behaviour

Oxytocin has been well researched in association with psychological variables and is widely accepted as a key modulator of human social behaviour. Previous work indicates involvement of oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in human-human empathy, however little is known about associations of OXTR SNPs with empathy and affective reactions of humans towards animals. Five OXTR SNPs previously found to associate with human social behaviour were genotyped in 161 students. Empathy towards animals and implicit associations were evaluated. A General Linear Model was used to investigate the OXTR alleles and allelic combinations along with socio-demographic variables and their influence on empathy towards animals. Empathy towards animals showed a significant association with OXTR SNP rs2254298; homozygous G individuals reported higher levels of empathy towards animals than heterozygous (GA). Our preliminary findings show, for the first time, that between allelic variation in OXTR and animal directed empathy in humans maybe associated, suggesting that OXTRs social behaviour role crosses species boundaries, warranting independent replication.

scholarly journals Oxytocin Receptor Gene Polymorphisms Are Associated with Human Directed Social Behavior in Dogs (Canis familiaris)

PLoS ONE ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. e83993 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Kis ◽  
Melinda Bence ◽  
Gabriella Lakatos ◽  
Enikő Pergel ◽  
Borbála Turcsán ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Behavior ◽  
Gene Polymorphisms ◽  
Receptor Gene ◽  
Canis Familiaris ◽  
Oxytocin Receptor ◽  
Oxytocin Receptor Gene ◽  
Receptor Gene Polymorphisms

scholarly journals Association between Oxytocin Receptor Gene Polymorphisms and Self-Rated ‘Empathic Concern’ in Schizophrenia

PLoS ONE ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 7 (12) ◽  
pp. e51882 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christiane Montag ◽  
Eva-Maria Brockmann ◽  
Anja Lehmann ◽  
Daniel J. Müller ◽  
Dan Rujescu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Polymorphisms ◽  
Receptor Gene ◽  
Oxytocin Receptor ◽  
Empathic Concern ◽  
Oxytocin Receptor Gene ◽  
Receptor Gene Polymorphisms

Birth weight interacts with a functional variant of the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) to predict executive functioning in children

2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 203-211 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Wade ◽  
Heather Prime ◽  
Thomas J. Hoffmann ◽  
Louis A. Schmidt ◽  
Thomas G. O'Connor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Executive Functioning ◽  
Receptor Gene ◽  
Interactive Effect ◽  
Oxytocin Receptor ◽  
Oxytocin Receptor Gene ◽  
Weight Variation ◽  
Major Allele ◽  
Family Based ◽  
And Function

AbstractGenetic variation in the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) is associated with several psychiatric conditions characterized by deficits in executive functioning (EF). A specific OXTR variant, rs2254298, has previously been associated with brain functioning in regions implicated in EF. Moreover, birth weight variation across the entire range is associated with individual differences in cortical structure and function that underlie EF. This is the first study to examine the main and interactive effect between rs2254298 and birth weight on EF in children. The sample consisted of 310 children from an ongoing longitudinal study. EF was measured at age 4.5 using observational tasks indexing working memory, cognitive flexibility, and inhibitory control. A family-based design that controlled for population admixture, stratification, and nongenomic confounds was employed. A significant genetic association between rs2254298 and EF was observed, with more copies of the major allele (G) associated with higher EF. There was also a significant interaction between rs2254298 and birth weight, such that more copies of the major allele in combination with higher birth weight predicted better EF. Findings suggest that OXTR may be associated with discrete neurocognitive abilities in childhood, and these effects may be modulated by intrauterine conditions related to fetal growth and development.

scholarly journals Common Oxytocin Receptor Gene Polymorphisms and the Risk for Preterm Birth

2013 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorenz Kuessel ◽  
Christoph Grimm ◽  
Martin Knöfler ◽  
Peter Haslinger ◽  
Heinz Leipold ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Preterm Birth ◽  
Gene Polymorphisms ◽  
Haplotype Analysis ◽  
Receptor Gene ◽  
Oxytocin Receptor ◽  
Oxytocin Receptor Gene ◽  
Haplotype Combination ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Receptor Gene Polymorphisms

Oxytocin is crucially involved in the onset and maintenance of labor. We investigated the association between oxytocin receptor gene polymorphisms and preterm birth. The presence of four common oxytocin receptor gene polymorphisms (rs2254298, rs53576, rs2228485 and rs237911) was evaluated in one hundred women with preterm birth and one hundred healthy women using restriction fragment length polymorphism genotyping. No association was found between the presence of any individual oxytocin receptor gene polymorphism and preterm birth. In haplotype analysis, the haplotype combination of rs2254298 A allele, rs2228485 C allele and rs237911 G allele was found to be significantly associated with an increased risk of preterm birth (OR = 3.2 [CI 1.04–9.8],p= 0.043). In conclusion our findings suggest that a combination of three oxytocin receptor gene polymorphisms is associated with an increased risk for preterm birth. We propose further studies investigating the role of oxytocin receptor gene polymorphisms and preterm birth.

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