# Oxytocin

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Activates oxytocin receptor on uterine smooth muscle (parturition), mammary myoepithelium (milk ejection), and CNS (pair bonding).

Reference facts

Also known asPitocin, SyntocinonCategoryHormonal & PituitaryMechanism of actionActivates oxytocin receptor on uterine smooth muscle (parturition), mammary myoepithelium (milk ejection), and CNS (pair bonding).TargetsOxytocin receptor (OXTR)Indications under research or approvedLabor induction, Postpartum hemorrhage, Research — autism, social bondingRegulatory status (reference entry)FDA-approved (Pitocin, multiple formulations)Half-life~3–5 minutesSequenceCYIQNCPLGSequence notesNonapeptide with disulfide bridge between Cys1-Cys6, C-terminal amide. The 'love hormone'.Molecular weight (Da)1007PDB accession1NPOFirst reported1953OriginFirst peptide hormone synthesized in the lab by Vincent du Vigneaud (Nobel Prize 1955).
    Primary References

du Vigneaud et al., JACS 1953 (Oxytocin synthesis)


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    This is an educational reference, not medical advice. Research findings do not establish safety or efficacy for self-administration. Consult the primary sources for study populations, limitations, and current regulatory status.

## Sources

- du Vigneaud et al., JACS 1953 (Oxytocin synthesis): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/13096946/