The topic of Matsumi Ladies Clinic Mita English blog in December is about oxytocin and happy feelings.

In the first part, I created an article for this theme suitable for easy reading.

This second part is an article explaining about oxytocin from a medical perspective.

 

Oxytocin is a peptide hormone, which is composed of nine amino acids.

Oxytocin is normally produced in the brain part, named the hypothalamus and released by another part, named the posterior pituitary.

Oxytocin is released into the bloodstream as a hormone with stimulations of the nipples in breastfeeding.

The secretion of oxytocin increases with the stimulation of estrogen, and vitamin C enhances the enzyme activity, which catalyzes the conversion of oxytocin from an inactive to an active form.

 

It plays a role in various behaviors, including social recognition, pair bonding, and sexual and maternal behaviors.

It also plays important roles in delivery and milk production in the uterus and the mammary glands.

 

Several studies indicate that oxytocin released into the brain of the female during sexual activity is important for forming a pair bond with her sexual partner in the rat.

Female rats, which are blocked oxytocin effects after giving birth, do not exhibit typical maternal behaviors.

In addition, oxytocin possibly plays an important role in the emotional bonding between humans and dogs.

In-group bonding, oxytocin also plays a crucial role.

 

Oxytocin acts in the milk ejection reflux with the stimulation of suckling of the nipples in breastfeeding mothers by their infants.

Uterine contraction during labor is induced by the stimulation of oxytocin.

In fact, as a medication, it is used to cause contractions of the uterus to start and increase the speed of labor.

 

The last part, I will add explanations about other amazing functions of oxytocin in the peripheral organs.