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My name is Eryll and welcome to my blog.

OXYTOCIN : Love Hormone  

Posted by eryLL

Breastfeed. Childbirth. Cuddle. Hug. Kiss. Love. Sex. Touch.
During these times, Oxytocin is released into the blood.

Oxytocin came from the word ‘oxutokia’ meaning ‘sudden delivery’.

Oxytocin is a hormone synthesized in the neurosecretory cells of the hypothalamus and stored in the Herring bodies in the posterior pituitary. It is one of the two major hormones secreted by the posterior pituitary gland, along with the antidiuretic hormone

Two Major Actions of Oxytocin: 
  • Oxytocin improves the muscle contraction of the uterus during childbirth. It is sometimes administered to women in labor to help the cervix be ready for childbirth.
  • In breastfeeding moms, oxytocin acts at the mammary glands by stimulating milk ejection in response to the stimulus provided by the sucking of the infant at the nipple of the mom.

A simple hug can hasten the release of oxytocin, leading to a sense of closeness and understanding. 

Attraction. Care. Empathy. Love. Peace. Security. Trust. Warmth.
Emotional feelings associated with oxytocin. 

Once oxytocin released in the posterior pituitary, it can’t re-enter to the brain because of the Blood-Brain Barrier. The behavioral effects of oxytocin are released by the centrally projecting oxytocin neurons. 

The oxytocin released during breast-feeding may help in building the relationship of the mother and her baby. In this case, giving the baby warmth and security, and the mother encouragement in protecting and caring her baby. 

Oxytocin is also released during orgasm by both men and women. Some say this will bring attraction and stronger bond for the couple. Oxytocin may also be responsible for the sexual satisfaction and sexual pleasure during and after the intercourse.

More touch, more hug, more kiss and more sex result to stronger bond, deeper love, firmer trust and happier relationship.

Oxytocin Determination
Oxytocin in the blood can be quantitatively measured by performing Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA). It uses polyclonal antibodies against Oxytocin. Oxytocin and the polyclonal antibodies are made to bind to each other and incubated at 4' C. The excess reagents are washed away and substrate is added, then incubate. The yellow end-color is read in a colorimeter at 405 nm. The intensity of the yellow end-color is inversely proportional to the concentration of oxytocin in the sample.

Specimen of choice: serum or EDTA - treated plasma


Oxytocin Drugs
Oxytocin drugs are administered intravenously, intramuscular or as nasal spray. Injecting oxytocins intravenously or intramuscular are used in childbirth cases. While, Oxytocin nasal sprays stimulate breastfeeding.

Normal Dose for Labor: Initial dose of 0.5 to 1 mU/hr  IV infusion. Slowly increase 1 to 2 mU every 30 to 60 minutes until the desired contraction pattern has been achieved.

Oxytocin Challenge Test (Contraction Stress Test)
This is a special prenatal test. It is normally done during 34 weeks of pregnancy or more. This test is used to predict how will the unborn baby respond to labor contractions. This test checks to identify the unborn babies who can’t recover easily from reduced blood and oxygen supply during labor contractions. Reduced blood and oxygen supply are seen normally during labor contractions.

Oxytocin will be used to stimulate the contractions of the smooth muscle cells of the uterus. 

Normal result: Three contractions every ten minutes with at least forty seconds long each contraction.


References: (click links for more information)


photo 1 by lepiaf.geo
photo 2 courtesy of joanna ramoso
photo 3 by davhor

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27 comments

Hello Eryll,

Good post , but could you check through Google search, if you have some sentences found in other sites? And kindly change your color to a lighter shade. Thanks

hello eryll. what a wonderful article. its very to understand, and the aura its full of LOVE! maybe it reminds you of me. haha. ♥ the bottom line here is, its perfect.:)

XOXO.

hi eryll! what a very informative post... but the color of your blog irritates my eyes...

hi eryll
nice post...


keep it up

hi sy, nice article,it is very interesting to read..keep it up..
but please put more pictures that would help your readers to cope up with your topic...but still it's a very good one...

what a colorful blog! hahaha.. anyway, nice article eryll. good job :D

Anonymous  

shocking colors ah... nice post,i linked it to my blog, cause my topic is related to yours. thanks...

Good points:
1. Comprehensive post.
2. Very Creative presentation.

Suggestions:
1. Include more links to relevant topics.
2. Include more pictures and their links.

very informative eryll..i think you should change your layout into a darker shade.. but its a really nice post just keep up your good work or much better make your article on a highest level to maintain your title in best blog of the week or else i will be next one.. ehehe

Lovely, thanks for your comment. i tried changing my layout to a darker shade but also few comments were been posted, wanting to change my layout to a lighter one. ill try to change it for everyones preferences. thanks for the comment. Let us all be the best blog! haha

This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

This is an excellent post. Not only did you pay attention to the theme, font, color, pictures, and what say you, you also took time in commenting on your classmates work.

That is what blogging is, making yourself known not just through your post, but with interacting to other bloggers out there. In some instances, taking time to help out.

Overall: This is one of the best posts I've seen so far. But, you could add a portion about collection and analysis of the specimen.

Zorlone

thanks for the comment doc zorlone. the post was been edited and the determination of the hormone was added. thanks for the suggestion.

Hi eryll, ok ill try my best to keep you satisfied on my post.haha! but still the color you used in your blog are still kind of shocking colors.. but overall performance were great.. ;)

hi eryll!!great post..it is very informative..and nice layout..keep it up.. =)

Hey eryll!! i like your blog.. it's colorful.. and the content.. so perfect hehe.. that's all.. good job!!

Good work!
Nice template!
Well done!
Your post is very informative, interesting and very well thought out.
Keep writing & inspiring others...=)

Anonymous  

Your post is very brief yet concise. I founf all the information I was looking for about the oxytocin hormone. This is very useful for a biochemistry student like me. Also, this blog has been very informative. Thank you! :)

Woah, You've got a pretty nice article here Eryll! Really informative. lol
As for the layout, its good too. Keep up the good job! -clapclap-

what a layout, hehehe.
do i nee to comment on your post?
because all of the comment were all positive feedback,
hehe

thank you for all the comments!! these will serve as my inspiration, guys! hahah.

its a well explained topic..very detailed..
i love the background..eyecatcher!

very comprehensive post. shocking color too. haha

hi, your post is great.. It is very informative.. Keep it up..