Hello and welcome to the zero to finals podcast.

My name is Tom and in this episode I'm going to be talking to you about oxytocin.

And you can find written notes on this topic at zero to finals.com slash oxytocin or in the 0 to finals endocrine

system book, which is coming soon. And you can find flashcards and questions to train your

knowledge on this content and help you remember the information for longer at members.0 to

finals.com.

So let's get straight into it.

Oxytocin is a hormone produced by the hypothalamus and released by the posterior pituitary gland.

Let's start with the function.

The key functions of oxytocin include stimulating uterine contractions during labour,

stimulating breast milk excretion, encouraging social bonding, for example, between a parent and a child,

between friends or sexual partners,

facilitating sexual function, and reducing the stress response, for example, reducing cortisol

release during stressful periods.

A tom tip for you, there are two primary hormones involved in breastfeeding.

Prolactin controls breast milk production and oxytocin controls breast milk ejection.

The distinctive roles of these two hormones are worth remembering.

Next let's talk about the control of oxytocin.

Factors that stimulate oxytocin release include pressure on the cervix during labor,

nipple stimulation during breastfeeding,

and social interaction and physical contact.

Some clinical relevance for you,

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