Oxytocin

Oxytocin: What kind of hormone is it?

A protein; made of Amino acids (9 = Peptide)

Oxytocin: Where does it come from?

Posterior Pituitary glad

What hormone comes from the Anterior pituitary gland?

TSH

Where does oxytocin act? Female Body

Uterine smooth muscle (contraction)

Breast milk duct smooth muscle (milk “letdown”)

Where does oxytocin act? Other

Also called the “hormone of love”

May be partially responsible for formation of bonding between mother and child.

Is oxytocin a negative feedback loop hormone or positive feedback loop?

Positive Feedback loop

Oxytocin & Breastfeeding

Mother releases oxytocin from breast feeding every time. The child does not consume the oxytocin but their sucking causes signals to be sent to the Hypothalamus leading to the posterior pituitary gland to release the hormone.

When is oxytocin produced? During labor

Increased baby size puts strain on uterine walls, sends signals/impulses to hypothalamus, leading to pituitary releasing oxytocin. It gets to uterus and leads to contractions.

When is it produced? During lactation

Increased stimulation by baby on breast leads to impulses, release of oxytocin, and milk letdown. (Maybe bonding while breast feeding)