Oxytocin Lecture Notes

Flashcards about Oxytocin to help study for pharmacology exam

What are oxytocin and vasopressin?

9-amino-acid peptides released from the posterior pituitary in response to specific physiologic stimuli.

What role does oxytocin play?

Sexual reproduction, in particular during and after childbirth.

How does oxytocin affect uterine contractions and milk ejection?

It increases the strength of uterine contractions and causes milk ejection by contracting myoepithelial cells.

What triggers the release of oxytocin?

Dilation of the uterine cervix, uterine contractions, or breast suckling.

What are the uses of synthetic oxytocin in obstetrics?

To induce or enhance uterine contractions during labor, and to prevent postpartum uterine hemorrhage.

What is the purpose of the nasal spray preparation of oxytocin?

To stimulate milk let-down in nursing mothers.

What behaviors have recent studies begun to investigate oxytocin's role in?

Orgasm, social recognition, pair bonding, anxiety, and maternal behaviors.

How are oxytocin's actions mediated?

Specific, high-affinity oxytocin receptors.

Why does the uterus become highly sensitive to oxytocin during late pregnancy?

An increased number of oxytocin receptors.

What hormones affect the uterus's sensitivity to oxytocin?

Estrogen enhances it, and progesterone inhibits it.

What is the importance of uterine contraction caused by oxytocin?

Cervical dilation before birth, contractions during the second and third stages of labor.

How does oxytocin release during breastfeeding help the uterus?

To assist the uterus in clotting the placental attachment point postpartum.

How is oxytocin thought to modulate inflammation?

By decreasing certain cytokines.

What renal actions does oxytocin have due to its similarity to vasopressin?

Reduce the excretion of urine slightly.

What can high doses of oxytocin result in humans?

Hyponatremia.

What effect does oxytocin have on the release of certain hormones?

It indirectly inhibits the release of adrenocorticotropic hormone and cortisol.

How may oxytocin play a role in the embryonal development of the heart?

Promoting cardiomyocyte differentiation.

What autism-related behaviors might oxytocin be an effective treatment for?

Repetitive and affiliative behaviors.

What was the result of oxytocin treatments in adults with autism?

Increased retention of affective speech.

What are the adverse reactions of oxytocin?

Cardiac arrhythmias, central nervous system stimulation, excessive uterine contraction, and hyponatremia.

What are contraindications for oxytocin?

Previous scar on uterus, grant multiparity, excessive uterine enlargement, malpresentation, APH, Hypersensitivity to oxytocin.

What is Oxytocin?

A hormone that plays a role in sexual reproduction, uterine contractions, and social behaviors.

What are the hormonal actions of oxytocin?

Uterine contraction, wound healing, renal actions, cardiac effects, and potential role in autism treatment.

How does oxytocin affect sodium excretion?

It stimulates sodium excretion from the kidneys.

How might oxytocin help with autism?

It may improve repetitive and affiliative behaviors.

How does oxytocin help with labor?

Contractions during the second and third stages of labor.

Where does Oxytocin work?

It has actions in the brain and periphery.

What are the most common side effects of oxytocin?

Cardiac arrhythmias.

What hormones are released from the posterior pituitary?

Oxytocin and vasopressin

How does oxytocin cause milk ejection?

Contraction of myoepithelial cells in the breast ducts

How does oxytocin play a role in wound healing?

Positive social interactions and decreased cytokines

Give an example of excessive uterine enlargement

Multiple pregnancy or polyhydramnios

Can Oxytocin can be used in patients with a _?

Previous cesarian section

What does synthetic oxytocin help with?

Induce labor, prevent postpartum bleeding, and stimulate milk let-down

Oxytocin is sometimes referred to as what?

Love hormone.

What hormone enhances the uterus' sensitivity to oxytocin?

Estrogen

What does oxytocin modulate?

Inflammation

What attribute may people improve from autism with oxytocin?

Affective speech retention

Oxytocin treatments may play a role in treating what disorder?

Autism.

What organs are impacted by oxytocin?

The uterus, kidneys, and heart