An overview of the oxytocin-oxytocin receptor signaling network

Oxytocin and Estrogen Receptor β in the Brain: An Overview

Oxytocin (OT) is a neuropeptide synthesized primarily by neurons of the paraventricular and supraoptic nuclei of the hypothalamus. These neurons have axons that project into the posterior pituitary and release OT into the bloodstream to promote labor and lactation; however, OT neurons also project to other brain areas where it plays a role in numerous brain functions. OT binds to the widely exp...

Differential Effects of Oxytocin Receptor Antagonists, Atosiban and Nolasiban, on Oxytocin Receptor–Mediated Signaling in Human Amnion and Myometrium

One of the most established roles of oxytocin (OT) is in inducing uterine contractions and labor. Apart from inducing contractions, our recent studies showed that OT can also activate proinflammatory pathways in both human myometrial and amnion cells, which suggests that the proinflammatory role of OT should be taken into account when developing tocolytics targeting the OT/oxytocin receptor (OT...

Progesterone inhibition of oxytocin signaling in endometrium

Expression of the oxytocin receptor (OXTR) in the endometrium of ruminant species is regulated by the ovarian steroids progesterone (P) and estradiol (E). Near the end of the estrous cycle, long-term exposure of endometrial epithelial cells to P results in loss of genomic P receptors (PGRs), leading to an increase in E receptors (ERs). Genomic regulation of the OXTR is mediated via suppression ...

Developmental experiences and the oxytocin receptor system.

The long-term effects of developmental experiences on social behavior, and the neuropeptide systems such as oxytocin which subserve the behavior, are still little understood. In this article, we review various types of early experience, including normal development, knockout models, pharmacological exposures, and early social experiences. We consider the processes by which experience can affect...

Oxytocin