The hormone Oxytocin is a cyclic peptide made up of nine amino acids. Studies suggest the pituitary gland secretes this hormone, which may function primarily as a neurotransmitter in the brain. [i] Like the natural peptide, recombinant Oxytocin, the synthetic version of Oxytocin, is a cyclic nonapeptide. [ii]
The brain is considered to produce the chemical, which is then held in the posterior pituitary gland until it is released into the organism’s body in response to a hormonal cue. [iii]
The oxytocin peptide appears to exert its action through a feedback loop. This suggests that the first secretion of the hormone peptide may be followed by further releases of the peptide at even greater concentrations and intensities. It would indicate that the mechanism by which synthetic and natural peptide versions elicit the same reaction in the female reproductive system may be identical.
Oxytocin Peptide Research and Investigations
Oxytocin Peptide and Labor
The Greek roots of the name Oxytocin are the concepts of “speed” (Oxus) and “childbirth” (tokos). As its name suggests, the peptide may facilitate rapid and painless labor and delivery.
Researchers speculate the goal of using Oxytocin in the antepartum phase is to potentially enhance uterine contractions in preparation for a safe birth. Research suggests three stages of prenatal events require Oxytocin peptide. Some examples of second-trimester complications include hypertension, gestational diabetes, preterm membrane rupture, dormant uteri that need to be stimulated into labor, and spontaneous or incomplete abortions. Researchers hypothesize Oxytocin may be of use after birth to potentially speed up placental delivery and reduce blood loss. [iii]
Scientists hypothesize the G-protein coupled receptors in the uterine membrane seem to be the peptide’s target after it has entered the body, suggesting that this peptide may raise intracellular calcium levels. The production of calcium is considered to trigger uterine contractions. Positive feedback from the contractions to the chemical release might increase the frequency and strength of the contractions after they have begun.
Subjects that started active labor and did not receive the compound after a certain point were compared to subjects that started active labor and were given Oxytocin until the maintenance level was reached in a clinical study [iv] to see which group had a higher rate of cesarean delivery. The research suggested that compared to subjects given the peptide through labor and delivery, those with it discontinued midway seemed to have a substantially greater rate of cesarean sections.
Oxytocin Peptide and Breastfeeding
Studies suggest female breasts may compress their alveolar ducts due to the peptide’s potential action on myoepithelial cells. Scientists posit that milk is expelled when these contractions force the substance out of alveolar ducts and into the bigger sinuses. Positive feedback may be in action here, with the first milk ejection leading to a cascade of further peptide release and ongoing milk expulsion. [iii]
Researchers suggested that among subjects that could breastfeed effectively, 27% were also given the supplemental hormone Oxytocin.
Additional properties being investigated:
- The vasodilatory potential of Oxytocin may contribute to enhanced cardiac performance and muscular tone. As one study suggests [v], pregnant subjects who are given Oxytocin appear to have lower blood pressure and heart rates.
- It has been hypothesized that Oxytocin may improve autistic subjects’ social skills. [vi] Autism spectrum disorder impacts social interaction.
- Clinical studies have suggested the peptide exhibits potential to mitigate obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). In studies examining this possibility, memory problems were more common, and subjects appeared to exhibit lower sodium levels and osmolality in their blood plasma.
Conclusion
Studies suggest that the female reproductive system is the primary target of the nonapeptide hormone Oxytocin’s facilitative properties. Oxytocin, which may be produced either naturally (endogenously) or artificially (exogenously), is considered to largely operate via a positive feedback loop.
The peptide’s principal potential actions are hypothesized to promote milk ejection (used to induce breastfeeding) and stimulate uterine muscle contraction (used to induce labor). Additionally, research suggests it may have vasodilatory properties.
More investigation is required to explore its potential in scientific research, and these studies must continue. Only academic and scientific institutions are allowed to use Oxytocin peptides. If you are a licensed professional interested in buying peptides for your clinical studies, visit the this website. Please note that none of the items mentioned are approved for human or animal ingestion. Laboratory research compounds are only for in-vitro and in-lab use. Any kind of physical introduction is illegal. Only authorized scientists and working researchers may make purchases. The content of this article is intended only for educational purposes.
References
[i] National Center for Biotechnology Information. “PubChem Compound Summary for CID 439302, Oxytocin” PubChem, https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Oxytocin
[ii] Recombinant Oxytocin (Code C724). https://ncit.nci.nih.gov/ncitbrowser/ConceptReport.jsp?dictionary=NCI_Thesaurus&ns=NCI_Thesaurus&code=C724
[iii] Osilla EV, Sharma S. Oxytocin. [Updated 2021 Jul 27]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021 Jan. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507848/
[iv] Induction of Labor with Oxytocin: When Should Oxytocin be held? https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/results/NCT00957593
[v] Rabinow, S., Hjorth, U., Schönbeck, S. et al. Effects of Oxytocin and anesthesia on vascular tone in pregnant women: a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study using non-invasive pulse wave analysis. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 18, 453 (2018). https://bmcpregnancychildbirth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186
[vi] Cochran, D. M., Fallon, D., Hill, M., & Frazier, J. A. (2013). The role of Oxytocin in psychiatric disorders: a review of biological and therapeutic research findings. Harvard review of psychiatry, 21(5), 219–247. https://doi.org/10.1097/HRP.0b013e3182a75b7d
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