Oxytocin is a polypeptide hormone composed of 9 amino acids that is secreted by the hypothalamus and stored in the posterior pituitary. It is released into the bloodstream in response to stimuli and acts on mammary glands and the uterus. In mammary glands, oxytocin causes the ejection of milk by contracting myoepithelial cells. During labor and delivery, oxytocin causes powerful contractions of the uterus that help expel the fetus. It also facilitates sperm transport and uterine contractions during sexual intercourse when acting on the non-pregnant uterus.

1. OxytocinDANISH HASSAN
LECTURER, UNIVERSITY OF SARGODHA

2. Oxytocin
 Source of Secretion:
 Secreted mainly by paraventricular nucleus and partly
supraoptic nuclei.
 Transported from hypothalamus to posterior pituitary
through the nerve fibers of hypothalamo-hypophyseal
tract.
 In the posterior pituitary, the oxytocin is stored in the
nerve endings of hypothalamo-hypophyseal tract.
 When suitable stimuli reach the posterior pituitary from
hypothalamus, oxytocin is released into the blood.
 Oxytocin is secreted in both males and females.

3.  Chemistry and Half-life
 Oxytocin is a polypeptide having 9 amino acids.
 It has a half-life of about 6 minutes

4.  Action:
1. Action on mammary glands (Milk let down/Milk
ejection reflex)
2. Action on uterus

5.  Action on mammary glands
 Causes ejection of milk from the mammary glands.
 Oxytocin causes contraction of the myoepithelial
cells and flow of milk from alveoli of mammary
glands to the exterior through duct system and
nipple.
 The process by which the milk is ejected from alveoli
of mammary glands is called milk ejection reflex or
milk letdown reflex.
 It is one of the neuro-endocrine reflexes.

6. Milk Ejection Reflex
Sucking reflex; Actives the touch receptors in the
mammary glands
Impulses discharged from touch receptors are
carried by the somatic afferent nerve
Center: Supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei in
hypothalamus
Efferent impulses from the hypthalamus cause
the release of oxytocin
Oxytocin released causes contraction of myo
epithelial cells, leading to production of milk

7.  As this reflex is initiated by the nervous factors and
completed by the hormonal action, it is called a
neuroendocrine reflex.
 During this reflex, large amount of oxytocin is
released by positive feedback mechanism

9.  Action on Uterus:
 Oxytocin acts on:
1. Pregnant uterus
2. Non-pregnant uterus.

10.  On pregnant uterus:
 Throughout the period of pregnancy, oxytocin
secretion is inhibited by estrogen and progesterone.
 At the end of pregnancy, the secretion of these two
hormones decreases suddenly and the secretion of
oxytocin increases.
 Oxytocin causes contraction of uterus and helps in the
expulsion of fetus.
 It is also an example of neuro-endocrine reflex and
positive feedback mechanism

11. On Pregnant Utreus
At the onset of labor, the cervix dilates and the
fetus descend through the birth canal
Receptors in wall of the cervix are stimulated
which respond by discharging impulses
Impulses carried to center by afferent nerve
fibers
Center: Supraoptic & paraventricular nucli in
hypothahamus

12. Continued……
Efferent impulses from the hypothalamus
causes the release of oxytocin
Oxytocin travels through blood and
acts on the walls of utreus
Causes powerful contarction of the
utreus that helps in the onset of labour

13.  On non-pregnant utreus:
 Action of oxytocin on non-pregnant uterus is to
facilitate the transport of sperms through female
genital tract up to the fallopian tube, by producing
the uterine contraction during sexual intercourse.

14. Stimulation of receptors in the walls of vagina
Discharge of afferent impulses from these
receptors to the hypothalmus
Center: Supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei in
the hypothalamus
Efferent impulses from the hypothalamus cause
the relaese of oxytocin
Oxytocin acts on the uterine wall and causes its
contraction towards the fallopian tube

15.  Action in Males
 Release of oxytocin increases during ejaculation
 It facilitates release of sperm into urethra by causing
contraction of smooth muscle fibers in reproductive
tract, particularly vas deferens