'love hormone' in humans causes starfish to turn stomachs inside out 

* THE CHEMICAL OXYTOCIN IS RELEASED IN THE BRAIN WHEN HUMAN BEINGS FALL IN LOVE * RESEARCHERS AT LONDON'S QUEEN MARY UNIVERSITY STUDIED THE EFFECTS ON STARFISH  * THEY FOUND THAT IT

TRIGGERS THEIR FEEDING MECHANISM OF EVERTING THEIR STOMACHS * DATA MAY PROVIDE BASIS FOR DEVELOPMENT OF CHEMICAL METHODS TO PRESERVE CORAL  By PETER LLOYD FOR MAILONLINE Published: 13:22

EDT, 31 July 2019 | Updated: 13:30 EDT, 31 July 2019 If falling in love leaves you with butterflies in your stomach, then you should pity poor starfish. The 'love hormone' released

in humans when they find their soulmate causes starfish to turn their stomachs inside out, scientists have discovered. Oxytocin is released in the brain when people fall in love and has

been shown to stifle hunger in some animals. But researchers who injected the chemical into starfish found it triggered their feeding mechanism of everting their stomachs and adopting the

posture they use for eating. The team, from Queen Mary University of London, said the experiment could provide answers to control the feeding behaviour of a species of starfish called crown

of thorns, which feed on coral and have 'a devastating impact' on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. Professor Maurice Elphick, the study’s lead author, said: 'Our study has

provided important new evidence that oxytocin-type molecules are important and ancient regulators of feeding in animals. 'So oxytocin is much more than a ‘love hormone’ - perhaps

especially for animals like starfish that don’t fall in love.' Dr Esther Odekunle, formerly a PhD student at the university, added: 'If the love hormone plays a role in the feeding

behaviour of the crown of thorns starfish, then this research may provide a basis for the development of novel chemical methods to control their appetite for coral.' Oxytocin-type

molecules have been acting in the nervous systems of animals for more than half-a-billion years, the researchers said. But the study, published in the BMC Biology journal, highlighted the

contrasts in the chemical’s role across species. It has been found to inhibit feeding behaviour in mice. Starfish were injected with the hormone and within a few minutes started bending

their arms and adopted a ‘humped’ posture, similar to that used when feeding - and the stomach was then everted from the mouth. The animals feed naturally by climbing on top of shellfish

prey and adopting the posture, then employing the pulling power of tiny tube feet under each arm to pull apart the two valves of their prey. The starfish then evert their stomach through the

gap and into the body of the prey and digest the soft tissues into a soup-like mixture, which is then drawn back into the starfish as food. Professor Elphick added: 'What is

fascinating is that injecting the hormone in starfish induces what is known as fictive feeding. 'The starfish are behaving as if they are feeding on a mussel or an oyster but no mussel

or oyster is there to be eaten.' The researchers also found the effect of oxytocin was so powerful it made starfish two to three times slower at righting themselves when flipped over -

an important defence behaviour, as they can be upturned by strong waves. They also found both the hormone and its receptor were found in many regions of the starfish body - including the

central nervous system and the stomach. These findings are consistent with the striking effects of the oxytocin-like molecule on starfish behaviour, the team said.  The data was published in

the BMC Biology journal.  WHAT IS LOVE?  The science of love is somewhat of a mystery to many, but scientists have attempted to scientifically define the phenomena.  Many studies from

various different institutions has found that there are certain neurological and biochemical clues that come with falling in love. Numerous brain regions, particularly those associated with

reward and motivation, are activated by the thought or presence of a romantic partner.  These include the hippocampus, hypothalamus, and anterior cingulated cortex regions of the brain.  It

is thought that by firing up these areas of the brain, it can help to lower a person's walls. These areas, when activated, serve to inhibit defensive behaviour, reduce anxiety and

increase trust in a new romantic partner. Biochemical responses to love include oxytocin and vasopressin which are produced by the hypothalamus and released by the pituaitary gland.  This

gland is associated with many chemicals which have a range of functions in the human body.  These chemicals serve to increase the most intense stages of love. They can also stimulate the

release of dopamine in the brain, a chemical associated with happiness.