Splenectomy abolished the protective effects of intranasal OT against DSS-induced abnormal stress-related behavior and intestinal inflammation
Stress-related behavior and colitis severity were similar between the DSS-treated mice who had undergone splenectomy and the non-operated animals. However, the protective effects of intranasal OT administration, in particular, its effect on mobilization time, immobilization time, weight change, colon length, disease activity score, histological score, colon macroscopic damage score, were negated (Fig.6A-I).