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Hormones of the Pituitary
Concepts tested here
- Functions of oxytocin
All Questions
2008 AIPMT 1 question
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In human adult females oxytocin:Oxytocin is synthesised by the neurosecretory cells of the hypothalamus and is transported along axons to the posterior pituitary (neurohypophysis), from where it is released.
It acts on the smooth muscles of the body and stimulates their contraction.
In females it stimulates a vigorous contraction of the uterus at the time of childbirth (parturition), which helps in the expulsion of the baby. It is therefore called the birth hormone.
It also causes the ejection of milk from the mammary glands.
It is not secreted by the anterior pituitary, and it does not stimulate the secretion of vasopressin.
The growth of the mammary glands is brought about by oestrogen, progesterone and prolactin, not by oxytocin.
So oxytocin causes strong uterine contractions during parturition.