Although the social role of oxytocin came to light due to sex-specific interactions such as mother–offspring bonding, current understanding of sex differences in the effects of oxytocin on human sociality is limited because of the predominance of all-male samples. With the increasing inclusion of females in intranasal oxytocin research, it is now possible to explore such patterns. Neuroimaging studies reveal relatively consistent sex-differential effects of oxytocin on the activation of brain regions associated with processing social stimuli – particularly the amygdala. Findings from behavioral research are varied but suggest that oxytocin more often facilitates social cognition and positive social interactions in males, with context-dependent effects in each sex. We discuss potential biological and psychological mechanisms underlying the reported sex differences, and conclude with considerations for future research and clinical applications of oxytocin.

中文翻译：

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催产素对人类社会性性别特异性影响的神经影像学和行为证据


尽管催产素的社会作用是由于性别特异性相互作用（例如母子结合）而曝光的，但由于全男性样本占主导地位，目前对催产素对人类社交性影响的性别差异的理解是有限的。随着鼻内催产素研究中女性的加入越来越多，现在可以探索这种模式。神经影像学研究揭示了催产素对与处理社会刺激相关的大脑区域激活的性别差异影响相对一致——尤其是杏仁核。行为研究的结果各不相同，但表明催产素更常促进男性的社会认知和积极的社交互动，对每种性别都有环境依赖性影响。我们讨论了所报道的性别差异的潜在生物学和心理机制，并总结了对催产素未来研究和临床应用的考虑。