Effects of oxytocin administration on salivary sex hormone levels in autistic and neurotypical women
Year: 2020
Type: article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Oxytocin administration, which may be of therapeutic value for individuals with social difficulties, is likely to affect endogenous levels of other socially relevant hormones. However, to date, the effects of oxytocin administration on endogenous hormones have only been examined in neurotypical individuals. The need to consider multi-hormone interactions is particularly warranted in oxytocin trials for autism due to evidence of irregularities in both oxytocin and sex steroid systems. METHODS: In this double-blind cross-over study, saliva samples were collected from 16 autistic and 29 neurotypical women before and after intranasal administration of 24 IU oxytocin or placebo. Oestradiol, testosterone, and oxytocin levels were quantified in saliva samples. Participants also completed the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ) and Empathy Quotient (EQ) questionnaires. RESULTS: Distinct patterns of change in testosterone and oestradiol levels pre- to-post-administration were observed in autistic relative to neurotypical women (ANCOVA, p < 0.05 main effect of Group), controlling for sample collection time. The mean percent change oestradiol was + 8.8% for the autism group and - 13.0% for the neurotypical group (t = 1.81, p = 0.08), while the mean percent change testosterone was + 1.1% in the autism group and - 12.6% in the neurotypical group (t = 1.26, p = 0.22). In the oxytocin condition, the mean percent change oestradiol was + 12.6% in the autism group and - 6.9% in the neurotypical group (t = 1.78, p = 0.08), while the mean percent change testosterone was + 14.4% in the autism group and - 15.2% in the neurotypical group (t = 3.00, p = 0.006). Robust regression confirmed that group differences in percent change hormone levels were not driven by a small number of influential individuals. Baseline hormone levels did not differ between groups when considered individually. However, baseline testosterone relative to oestradiol (T:E2 ratio) was higher in autistic women (p = 0.023, Cohen's d = 0.63), and this ratio correlated positively and negatively with AQ and EQ scores, respectively, in the combined sample. LIMITATIONS: Further studies with larger and more diverse autistic sample are warranted to confirm these effects. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides the first evidence that oxytocin influences endogenous testosterone levels in autistic individuals, with autistic women showing increases similar to previous reports of neurotypical men. These findings highlight the need to consider sex steroid hormones as a variable in future oxytocin trials.
Source: Molecular Autism
Institutions: University of Cambridge, University of Trento, Italian Institute of Technology, Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, National Taiwan University, University of Toronto, Hospital for Sick Children, National Taiwan University Hospital, University of Edinburgh, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, St Helier Hospital, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust, South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust
Language: English
Subfield: Endocrine and Autonomic Systems
Field: Neuroscience
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,170
Funders: Autism Speaks, Ontario Brain Institute, Wellcome Trust, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations, Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Foundation, National Institute for Health and Care Research, British Academy, European Commission, Cambridge Trust, University of Toronto, Hospital for Sick Children, Innovative Medicines Initiative, Darwin Trust of Edinburgh, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, Medical Research Council, NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre
OpenAlex ID: W3012802471