Oxytocin (OXT)

Oxytocin is a peptide hormone and neuropeptide primarily produced in the hypothalamus and released from the posterior pituitary gland. It plays critical roles in social bonding, reproduction, childbirth (parturition), lactation, and various behaviors related to trust and emotional connection. Its main functions include stimulating uterine muscle contraction during labor, facilitating milk ejection during breastfeeding, and promoting maternal-infant bonding. Oxytocin also influences social behaviors such as trust formation and pair bonding.

Other names

OXTOTOxytocic hormone

Oxytocin stimulates uterine contractions and milk ejection by binding to oxytocin receptors. Atosiban is an oxytocin receptor antagonist used to suppress premature labor.