Parents’ behaviour influences infant levels of ‘bonding hormone’ oxytocin

The behaviour of parents may influence their children’s developing system of oxytocin -- a hormone involved in social interaction and bonding in mammals -- according to a study that highlights the importance of parenting in infant health. The study, published in the journal Science Advances, noted that greater involvement by mothers during the play interaction may have the potential to upregulate the oxytocin system in their kids. “The oxytocin receptor is essential for the hormone oxytocin to exert its effects and the gene can determine how many are produced,” said study co-author Kathleen Krol from the University of Virginia in the US. Krol said that the quality of a mother’s involvement during the play session was linked to chemical changes in the production of the infant’s oxytocin receptor gene. “If mothers were particularly involved in the game with their children, there was a greater reduction in DNA methylation of the oxytocin receptor gene one year later.