oxytocin hormone

What kind of molecule is Oxytocin?

A protein made of amino acids (9, so really it’s a peptide)

Where does the Oxytocin hormone come from?

The posterior pituitary gland

Where does oxytocin act?

Mostly the uterine smooth muscle and the breast milk smooth muscle

What is this hormone commonly referred to as?

“The hormone of love” or “the cuddle drug”

When is oxytocin produced? (Uterine)

During labor: the strain of the baby against the uterine walls send impulses to the hypothalamus, leading to pituitary releasing oxytocin which creates contractions

When is oxytocin produced? (Breast milk)

Lactation: the increased stimulation by the baby on the breast leads to impulses to the hypothalamus, release of oxytocin by the posterior pituitary, then milk let down

When is it produced for men? (Also women)

During orgasm: plays a role in sustaining monogamous relationships

What is the synthetic version of oxytocin commonly used to induce labor?

Pitocin

What group of people can oxytocin help think more clearly?

people with autism and Asperger’s