Properties of Oxytocin
Oxytocin is a peptide hormone made up of nine amino acids. Oxytocin is produced by pituitary gland in the brain to carry out different physiological and psychological functions in the body like child birth, breastfeeding, mother infant bonding and social behavior.
Oxytocin is also referred as love hormone, cuddle hormone or bonding hormone because it develops feelings of affection, trust, and attachment among people. It reduces the negativities that may otherwise harm relationships and fills people with the positive energies and feelings towards each other.
Synthesis of Oxytocin
Hypothalamus has different functions including the production of oxytocin. That is the area in the forebrain in which …show more content…
The stimulus of sucking the nipple is transmitted to the brain through spinal reflex. In response to the stimulus large amount of oxytocin is released causing the ejection of milk to the pipes in mammary glands. Another oxytocin releasing method is during sexual intercourse and after orgasm. It is thought that either gonadal steroids or genital stimulation causes the release of oxytocin during sexual intercourse (Russell and Leng, 1998).
Psychological stimuli can cause raise in concentration of oxytocin. Stressful stimuli can activate magnocellular neurosecretory cell in the hypothalamus to synthesize oxytocin thus elevating the level of oxytocin in the body. Almost all kinds of stress can cause the release of oxytocin like fear, distrust, post trauma, post conflict anxiety, depression, and even delivering a speech in front of an audience.
In rats, gastric distention and the secretion of cholecystokinin after ingestion of food causes the release of oxytocin. In addition, the diet rich in fats is known to assist the release of oxytocin in …show more content…
The effacement and dilatation of the cervix makes enough room for the fetus to go down the birth canal during labor. The uterine contractions push the baby down the birth canal. After the delivering the baby the uterine continues contractions to expel the placenta.
Ejection of Milk
When infant sucks the mother’s nipple, oxytocin releases in response. This oxytocin acts on mammary glands. In mammary glands the oxytocin acts on muscular cells which surrounds the alveoli causing the contraction of muscle leading to let down of milk into sinuses. From sinuses, the milk is ejected to infants through the nipples by suckling.
Wound Healing
Oxytocin is thought to help in wound healing with a reduction in inflammation by decreasing various cytokines. Cytokines are responsible for inflammation at the wound site which gets suppressed in the presence of oxytocin (Olff, 2013).
Psychological Effects
In addition to the physical effects, there are numerous neurological and psychological impacts that oxytocin creates. These involve:
Mother-infant