The effects of acute bilateral PVN administration of vehicle (Ringer solution, pH 7.4; Veh), or OXT (0.01 nmol/0.5 ul) after intra-PVN pre-treatment with either vehicle (DMSO) or the MEK 1/2 inhibitor, U0126 (0.5 nmol/0.5 ul) on time spent in the light compartment of the LDB in (A) virgin rats and (B) lactation day 8 rat dams.

<p>Data represent mean + sem (n = 7–12 per group). Two-way ANOVA was performed followed by Fisher's LSD <i>post-hoc</i> tests where appropriate. * p<0.05 compared with vehicle treatment and # p<0.05 compared with respective virgin group.