Effect of Systemic Oxytocin Administration on New Bone Formation and Distraction Rate in Rabbit Mandible

Purpose: The main disadvantage of distraction osteogenesis is the prolonged treatment protocol. Recently, oxytocin (OT) has been found to have anabolic effects on bone metabolism. In this experimental study, the effects of OT on the mandibular distraction gap in rabbits at 2 different distraction rates were evaluated. Materials and Methods: This experimental study was conducted on 28 male New Zealand white rabbits. The animals were divided into 3 experimental groups and 1 control group. Group A (control group, n = 7) consisted of animals with distraction at a rate of 1 mm/day, and group B (n = 7) consisted of animals with a distraction rate of 2 mm/day; groups A and B received postoperative saline solution injection. Group C (n = 7) consisted of animals with distraction at a rate of 1 mm/day, and group D (n = 7) consisted of animals with a distraction rate of 2 mm/day; postoperative OT injection was performed in groups C and D. Results: Both histomorphologic and micro–computed tomography evaluations showed increased bone healing in the OT-treated groups. Conclusions: On the basis of the evaluation of both the histomorphometric and micro–computed tomographic data, systemic OT administration was found to increase new bone formation and bone healing with distraction osteogenesis.