Valery Grinevich: Oxytocin

oxytocin

Oxytocin

Oxytocin is a Hormone produced in the Paraventricular nucleus and Supraoptic nucleus of the Hypothalamus and released into the blood via the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland. It initiates contractions during childbirth and supports the milk ejection reflex during breastfeeding. It is also released during orgasm. Oxytocin can promote trust and strengthen pair bonding, but recent findings show that its effects are more complex and, in certain contexts, can also promote separation from out-groups.

oxytocin

Oxytocin

Oxytocin is a hormone produced in the paraventricular nucleus and supraoptic nucleus of the hypothalamus and released into the blood via the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland. It initiates contractions during childbirth and supports the milk ejection reflex during breastfeeding. It is also released during orgasm. Oxytocin can promote trust and strengthen pair bonding, but recent findings show that its effects are more complex and, in certain contexts, can also promote separation from out-groups.

Hormone

Hormones are chemical messengers in the body. They serve to transmit information between organs and cells, usually slowly, e.g., to regulate blood sugar levels. Many hormones are produced in glandular cells and released into the blood. At their destination, e.g., an organ, they dock at binding sites and trigger processes inside the cell. Hormones have a broader effect than neurotransmitters; they can influence various functions in many cells of the body.

Paraventricular nucleus

nucleus paraventricularis

A nucleus of the hypothalamus whose neurons produce various hormones, including oxytocin and vasopressin, which are transported to the neurohypophysis. The PVN sends axons to the limbic system, the brain stem, and other hypothalamic nuclei.

Supraoptic nucleus

supraoptic nucleus

A core area of the hypothalamus, located above the optic nerves. This is where the peptide hormones vasopressin and oxytocin are produced.

Hypothalamus

The hypothalamus is considered the center of the autonomic nervous system, meaning it controls many motivational states and regulates vegetative aspects such as hunger, thirst, and sexual behavior. As an endocrine gland (which, unlike an exocrine gland, releases its hormones directly into the blood without a duct), it produces numerous hormones, some of which inhibit or stimulate the pituitary gland to release hormones into the blood.In this function, it also plays an important role in the response to pain and is involved in pain modulation.

posterior

A positional term – posterior means "towards the back, located at the rear." In relation to the nervous system, it refers to a direction towards the tail.