What is oxytocin?

The peptide hormone is made up of 9 amino acids. It is produced in the hypothalamus, an area of the brain that controls heart rate, blood pressure, and digestion. OT is released into the bloodstream by the posterior pituitary gland.

Oxytocin was discovered by Sir Henry Dale in 1996. He found that extracts from the posterior pituitary gland of humans caused the uterus of pregnant cats to contract. Sir Henry Dale also coined the name oxytocin, which means "quick labor" in Greek.

This peptide hormone controls many functions. It has an impact on labor, milk secretion during breastfeeding, and bonding with newborns in humans. It also plays an important role in sexual arousal, romantic attachment, and other social interactions.
It is also known as the "love hormone." A 2012 study found that levels of this hormone were significantly higher in newly-in-love people than in singles. The findings suggest that it may play an important role in the initial stages of a relationship.
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How does oxytocin work?

Research suggests that it interacts with neural pathways responsible for processing motivation-related stimuli. In particular, it affects dopaminergic activity in the mesocorticolimbic dopamine system, which is critical for the expression of reward, motivated behavior, and affiliative behaviors. 
In females, this hormone stimulates contractions of the uterus and breast muscles. This stimulates contractions of the uterine muscles during labor and contractions of the breast tissue after delivery, a process that aids lactation.
In male mammals, this systemic hormone can stimulate smooth muscle of the male reproductive tract peripherally, but may also reflect central effects in the brain regulating sexual behavior. It is also reported to aid in the movement of male sperm.

It is one of the few hormones that can generate a positive feedback loop. This means that the higher the concentration of oxytocin in the body, the higher its rate of release. For example, when the uterus contracts during labor, more oxytocin is released.

Oxytocin Research

For decades, the oxytocin peptide has attracted multiple human trials. This peptide hormone has also been the subject of multiple animal studies. Despite all of these studies showing that oxytocin has great potential, the FDA has not approved it for human consumption.

Oxytocin and Sexual Arousal

A systematic review was conducted to find the relationship between oxytocin levels and sexual arousal and orgasm in humans. The researchers noted that given the crucial role that sexual fantasies play in arousal caused by self-stimulation, it can be speculated that it plays a role in sexual desire.

A 1994 study found that plasma OT levels increased during orgasm in both men and women. This positive correlation is consistent with a possible functional role for OT in sexual response. Results from another study support the hypothesis that OT plays an important role in human sexual arousal. 

In addition, a rat study confirmed the link between oxytocin and penile erection. The study found that intracerebroventricular (icv) injections of oxytocin in doses of 5 to 90 ng induced penile erections and yawning in male rats. 

Oxytocin and Trust

Research on non-human mammals suggests that it plays a key role in social attachment and affiliation. Studies have found that intranasal administration of OT significantly increases trusting behaviors. Subjects who received OT appeared to be better able to overcome trust barriers. 

Another study showed that intranasal administration of OT increased trust in humans, which significantly increased the benefits of social interactions. These results are consistent with animal studies, suggesting that it plays an important role as a biological basis for prosocial behavior.  

To establish a link between OT and trust in humans, researchers administered OT to participants in a trust and risk game. Participants with lower AQ scores (less severe autistic traits) showed a greater tendency to trust behaviors after OT administration than participants with higher AQ scores. 

Oxytocin and Romantic Relationships

Only four studies have measured or manipulated oxytocin and subsequently measured behavioral or subjective responses related to interpersonal bonding processes in human adult romantic relationships. All studies provided promising evidence supporting the contention that oxytocin promotes bonding processes. 

For example, one of the four studies positively correlated plasma oxytocin levels with self-reported partner hugging. The study also found that more frequent partner hugging and higher oxytocin levels were associated with lower blood pressure and heart rate in premenopausal women. 

The results of another study suggest that oxytocin may play an important role in the initial stages of a romantic relationship. The researchers who conducted the study found that oxytocin levels were significantly higher in newly-involved couples than in singles. 
Oxytocin and Diabetes

A recent review highlighted the role of oxytocin in diabetes and its complications, such as diabetic bone disease. It noted that oxytocin may have positive metabolic effects based on changes in glucose metabolism, lipid profiles, and insulin sensitivity.

Oxytocin can alter glucose uptake and insulin sensitivity through direct or indirect means. Therefore, activation of the oxytocin receptor pathway by infusion of oxytocin, oxytocin analogs, or oxytocin agonists may represent a promising diabetes treatment approach.

In addition, results from a randomized pilot clinical trial showed that OT and its analogs have multi-level effects in enhancing insulin sensitivity, controlling weight, and insulin secretion. OT and its analogs have the potential to be developed as therapeutic peptides for diabetes management. 

Oxytocin and Wound Healing

According to a study of 37 couples, higher oxytocin levels were associated with more positive communication behaviors. In addition, people with higher oxytocin levels had faster wound healing than those with lower oxytocin levels. 

A cell-based study also identified oxytocin as having wound healing abilities. The study found that bacterially induced oxytocin activated host CD4+Foxp3+CD25+ immune T regulatory cells, providing transplantable wound healing capabilities to naive animals lacking Rag2.  

More studies are needed to validate the effects of OT on wound healing.

Oxytocin and Muscle Maintenance

A study found that oxytocin is required for normal regeneration of muscle tissue and homeostasis. The study further showed that genetic deficiency of oxytocin leads to premature sarcopenia and that oxytocin receptor levels in muscle stem cells decrease dramatically with age.

The study also found that short-term systemic OT administration restored muscle regeneration in aged mice. This study reveals a potential novel and safe approach to counteract or prevent skeletal muscle aging. 
Oxytocin and Weight Loss
To investigate its effects on body weight, lipid metabolism, and insulin sensitivity, OT was induced in high-fat diet-induced obese mice. A dose-dependent decrease in body weight gain was observed. OT also reduced tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-a) in M1-derived macrophages. 

Another study provided proof-of-concept data demonstrating that an oxytocin analogue with prolonged in vivo stability can reduce food intake and body weight in DIO animals.