Oxytocin:A hormone made in the brain that plays a role in childbirth and lactation by causing muscles to contract in theuterus(womb) and the mammary glands in the breast. Animal studies have shown thatoxytocinalso has a role in pair bonding, mate-guarding, and social memory.
Oxytocin is apeptide(a compound consisting of 2 or moreamino acids) that is secreted by thehypothalamusand transported to theposteriorlobeof thepituitary glandat the base of the brain. Oxytocin is related to another hormone called vasopressin.
