Oxytocin

Pitocin, Syntocinon

A nonapeptide hormone that induces uterine contractions, milk ejection, and modulates social behaviors via oxytocin receptors.

Molecular Profile

Formula C₄₃H₆₆N₁₂O₁₂S₂

Mol. Weight 1007.2 g/mol

Sequence Gly-Glu-Pro-Pro...

Clinical Data Trials

Scientific Data Studies

Route	Dosage	Bioavailability
Intravenous (IV) 0.5-20 mU/min infusion	0.5-20 mU/min infusion	High (100%)	INT
Intramuscular (IM) 10 IU	10 IU	High (100%)	INT
Intranasal 24-40 IU	24-40 IU	Low (10%)	INT

How It Works

How It Works: Oxytocin acts as a hormone and neurotransmitter by binding to G-protein-coupled oxytocin receptors, triggering intracellular signaling cascades that affect reproduction, lactation, and social behaviors.

Receptor Binding: Activates Gq-coupled receptors, increasing intracellular calcium levels via phospholipase C pathway.
Uterine Contraction: Stimulates smooth muscle contractions in the uterus by enhancing calcium influx.
Milk Ejection Reflex: Contracts myoepithelial cells in mammary glands to facilitate milk release.
Central Nervous System Effects: Modulates neural circuits in the brain to promote social bonding, trust, and anxiety reduction.
Positive Feedback Mechanism: Release during labor or breastfeeding stimulates further oxytocin production and secretion.

Pairs Well With

Latest Clinical Trials

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Completed NA NCT01317823

Bishop Score and Transvaginal Ultrasound for Preinduction Cervical Assessment in Multiparas

Seoul National University Hospital

INTERVENTIONAL

Updated Dec 15, 2025

Completed PHASE1 NCT02257359

Study to Evaluate the Safety, Tolerability, and Pharmacokinetics of Epelsiban in Healthy Female Volunteers

GlaxoSmithKline

INTERVENTIONAL

Updated Dec 15, 2025

Completed NA NCT02722356

Outcomes After the Implementation of a New Oxytocin Protocol

C.R.Darnall Army Medical Center

INTERVENTIONAL

Updated Dec 15, 2025

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Latest Studies

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Utility 2

pubmed Dec 11, 2025

Oxytocin, Orexin-A, and empathy in medication-free major depressive disorder: a neurobiological perspective.

Erdem. Didem Sule DS; Özsoy. Saliha S; Abdulrezzak. Ummühan U

A study of people with major depression (who weren’t on meds) found they had higher blood levels of oxytocin and lower ability to understand others' thoughts (cognitive empathy) compared to healthy folks. The link between oxytocin and empathy was weak, and the research didn’t test any treatments, just measured natural levels.

Utility 1

pubmed Dec 10, 2025

Vasopressin-to-oxytocin receptor crosstalk in the preoptic area underlying parental behaviors in male mice.

Inada. Kengo K; Hagihara. Mitsue M; Yaguchi. Kasane K; Irie. Satsuki S; Inoue. Y...

In male mice, becoming a dad changes their behavior from attacking babies to caring for them. This shift isn’t caused only by oxytocin; vasopressin neurons in the brain also help, and they talk to oxytocin receptors in a specific brain area to trigger paternal care.

Utility 2

pubmed Dec 9, 2025

Arginine Vasopressin Deficiency and Oxytocin Deficiency in the Endocrine Clinic.

Atila. Cihan C; Refardt. Julie J; Christ-Crain. Mirjam M

The paper explains that low levels of the hormones vasopressin and oxytocin can happen after damage to the brain area that makes them. Low vasopressin causes lots of urination and thirst and is treated with a synthetic drug called desmopressin. Low oxytocin may lead to social and emotional problems, but it’s hard to measure and there’s no standard test yet. Early work suggests that nasal sprays of oxytocin might help mood and social skills, but solid proof is still missing.

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