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Abrar Al-Shaer, Suraj Madiraju, Briana Block, Rashon Mack
Cellular Response
It promotes/causes contractions of the uterus and
aids in milk release during lactation.
 Oxytocin is released to the target cells-myometrial
(uterus contractions) & myoepithelial (milk release)
 It is a hormone that acts like a neurotransmitter
because it is produced by nerve cells and electrical
signals cause it’s release from the hypothalamus to
the pituitary gland fro secretion.
 Sensory neurons (ex: sense contractions) in the
brain stimulate the release of the oxytocin
hormone into the blood—which is secreted by the
posterior pituitary.

Gland & Chemical

Secreted from posterior pituitary gland,
after being produced by the
hypothalamus
Lipid or Peptide Based
 Peptide
hormone
 (acts like neurotransmitter)
Feedback Loop
 It
is a positive feedback loop
Oxytocin Pathway



Oxytocin binds to the oxytocin receptor and starts a
signal transduction pathway
It activates the second messenger, PLC
Occurs in a myometrial cell
Alteration in Pathway

If there is an alteration in the pathway
contractions won’t occur, so a C-section
would be required