CZ:Featured article/Current

Oxytocin

Oxytocin (Greek: "quick birth") is a mammalian hormone that is secreted into the bloodstream from the posterior pituitary gland, and that is also released into the brain, where it has effects on social behaviors. In pregnant women, it is secreted into the blood during labor in response to distention of the cervix and it stimulates contractions of the uterus to facilitate birth. During lactation, oxytocin is secreted in response to stimulation of the nipples by the sucking of the infant, and it stimulates milk let-down in the mammary gland. Oxytocin is also secreted during orgasm in both sexes; in men it facilitates movement of sperm. In the brain, it is involved in social recognition, bonding, sexual arousal, reproductive behaviors and appetite regulation, and might be involved in the formation of trust between people. In some species, including rats, oxytocin also promotes sodium excretion (natriuresis) and inhibits sodium appetite.^[1]^[2]^[3] ^[4]

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notes
↑ Lee HJ et al. (2009) Oxytocin: the great facilitator of life. Prog Neurobiol 88:127-51. Review. PMID 19482229 ↑ Neumann ID (2008) Brain oxytocin: a key regulator of emotional and social behaviours in both females and males J Neuroendocrinol 20:858-65. Review. PMID 18601710 ↑ Arthur P et al. (2007) Oxytocin and parturition: a role for increased myometrial calcium and calcium sensitization? Front Biosci 12:619-33. Review. PMID 17127323 ↑ Caldwell HK, Young WS III (2006) Oxytocin and vasopressin: genetics and behavioral implications. In Lim R. (ed.) Handbook of Neurochemistry and Molecular Neurobiology 3rd edition, Springer, New York, pp. 573-607. 320kb PDF

[1] Lee HJ et al. (2009) Oxytocin: the great facilitator of life. Prog Neurobiol 88:127-51. Review. PMID 19482229

[2] Neumann ID (2008) Brain oxytocin: a key regulator of emotional and social behaviours in both females and males J Neuroendocrinol 20:858-65. Review. PMID 18601710

[3] Arthur P et al. (2007) Oxytocin and parturition: a role for increased myometrial calcium and calcium sensitization? Front Biosci 12:619-33. Review. PMID 17127323

[4] Caldwell HK, Young WS III (2006) Oxytocin and vasopressin: genetics and behavioral implications. In Lim R. (ed.) Handbook of Neurochemistry and Molecular Neurobiology 3rd edition, Springer, New York, pp. 573-607. 320kb PDF

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CZ:Featured article/Current

Oxytocin

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