Oxytocin (Oxt) is a mammalian neurohypophysial hormone. Produced by the hypothalamus and stored and secreted by the posterior pituitary gland, oxytocin acts primarily as a neuromodulator in the brain.
Oxytocin plays an important role in the neuroanatomy of intimacy, specifically in sexual reproduction of both sexes, in particular during and after childbirth; its name, meaning "swift childbirth", comes from Greek, oksys "swift" and , tokos "birth." It is released in large amounts after distension of the cervix and uterus during labor, facilitating birth, maternal bonding, and, after stimulation of the nipples, lactation. Both childbirth and milk ejection result from positive feedback mechanisms.

Application:

Injected oxytocin analogues are used for labor induction and to support labor in case of difficult parturition. It has largely replaced ergometrine as the principal agent to increase uterine tone in acute postpartum hemorrhage. Oxytocin is also used in veterinary medicine to facilitate birth and to stimulate milk release. The tocolyticagent atosiban (Tractocile) acts as an antagonist of oxytocin receptors; this drug is registered in many countries to suppress premature labor between 24 and 33 weeks of gestation. It has fewer side effects than drugs previously used for this purpose (ritodrine, salbutamol, and terbutaline).

For male and female:

Male:
The Leydig cells in some species have been shown to possess the biosynthetic machinery to manufacture testicular oxytocin de novo, to be specific, in rats (which can synthesize vitamin C endogenously), and in guinea pigs, which, like humans, require an exogenous source of vitamin C (ascorbate) in their diets.

Female:
Oxytocin is synthesized by corpora lutea of several species, including ruminants and primates. Along with estrogen, it is involved in inducing the endometrial synthesis of prostaglandin F2α to cause regression of the corpus luteum.

Oxytocin has peripheral (hormonal) actions, and also has actions in the brain. Its actions are mediated by specific, oxytocin receptors. The oxytocin receptor is a G-protein-coupled receptor that requires magnesium and cholesterol. It belongs to the rhodopsin-type (class I) group of G-protein-coupled receptors.

Studies have looked at oxytocin's role in various behaviors, including orgasm, social recognition, pair bonding, anxiety, and maternal behaviors.

Usage and dosage:

Odinopoeia or oxytocin intravenous drip, once the 2.5 - 5 units, with Sodium Chloride Injection diluted to each 1ml contains 0.01 units. Intravenous drip of the beginning of every minute of not more than 0.001 to 0.002 units, each 15 - 30 minutes increased 0.001 to 0.002 units, to achieve the contractions and normal childbirth is similar, the fastest per minute of not more than 0.02 units, usually 0.002 to 0.005 units per minute.

Control postpartum hemorrhage per minute intravenous drip of 0.02 - 0.04 units, expulsion of the placenta after intramuscular injection of 5 to 10 units.

Lactogenic just before a 2 - 3 minutes, with nasal drops a 3 drop, drop into one side or both sides of the nostril.

Preparation and specification : oxytocin injection (1) 0.5ml:2.5 units (2) 1ml:5 (3) 1ml units 10 units;
Oxytocin nasal drops 1ml:40 units. The induction of labor or prenatal uterine atony: in 2.5-5 units in 500ml 5% glucose for intravenous drip slowly (10-30 drops / minute), maximum time 20 units. (2). Prevention of postpartum hemorrhage: intramuscular injection of 5-10 on each unit, or 5% glucose solution for intravenous drip.

The main contraindication, heart disease, a caesarean history and more than three fetal maternal disable.