oxytocin
[ ok-si-toh-suh n ]
/ ˌɒk sɪˈtoʊ sən /
noun
Biochemistry.
a polypeptide hormone, produced by the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland, that stimulates contraction of the smooth muscle of the uterus.
Pharmacology.
a commercial form of this substance, obtained from beef and hog pituitary glands or especially by synthesis, and used chiefly in obstetrics to induce labor and to control postnatal hemorrhage.
Origin of oxytocin
First recorded in 1925–30;
oxytoc(ic) +
-in2
Words nearby oxytocin
oxysulphide,
oxytalan,
oxytetracycline,
oxytocia,
oxytocic,
oxytocin,
oxytone,
oxyuriasis,
oxyuricide,
oxyuridae,
oxyuris
Example sentences from the Web for oxytocin
When fathers hold and play with their children, oxytocin and prolactin kick in, priming them for bonding.
I think the most surprising thing to me was the oxytocin story.
And the people with higher levels of oxytocin were more generous in the amounts they chose to return to the original investor.
British Dictionary definitions for oxytocin
oxytocin
/ (ˌɒksɪˈtəʊsɪn) /
noun
a polypeptide hormone, secreted by the pituitary gland, that stimulates contractions of the uterus or oviduct and ejection of milk in mammals; alphahypophame: used therapeutically for aiding childbirth. Formula: C 43 H 68 N 12 O 12 S 2
Compare vasopressin
Medical definitions for oxytocin
oxytocin
[ ŏk′sĭ-tō′sĭn ]
n.
A short polypeptide hormone that is released from the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland, stimulates the contraction of smooth muscle of the uterus during labor, and facilitates release of milk from the breast during nursing.
Scientific definitions for oxytocin
oxytocin
[ ŏk′sĭ-tō′sĭn ]
A polypeptide hormone secreted by the posterior portion of the pituitary gland. Oxytocin stimulates the contraction of smooth muscle of the uterus during childbirth and facilitates ejection of milk from the mammary glands.