**5. Experimental or clinical use of oxytocin agonists**

The widespread distribution of OTR has led to the development of OTR agonist molecules that could be used as pharmacological tools (agents used experimentally to study the functions of oxytocin and its receptor) or as potential drugs for the management of obstetric disorders and neuropsychiatric diseases, including anxiety-related disorders, autism and schizophrenia. OTR agonists may be peptide (such as [Thr4]OT, [HO1][Thr4]OT, [Thr4,Gly7]OT and [HO1][Thr4,Gly7]OT) or non-peptide molecules (such as WAY-267464 and other compounds) (Borthwick, 2006; Manning et al., 2008). WAY-267464 exerts oxytocinergic actions, such as anxiolytic effects, in mice (Ring et al., 2010).

Clinically, synthetic oxytocin is used for labor induction and augmentation and the treatment of postpartum hemorrhage. Carbetocin, a synthetic oxytocin analog, is also indicated for prevention of uterine atony after delivery by cesarean section in spinal or epidural anesthesia. It also has the advantage of longer half life than oxytocin (4-10 times) and it is administered in a single dose, intramuscularly or intravenously, compared to oxytocin continuous infusion (Rath, 2009).
