Oxytocin-neurophysin 1 / OXT Recombinant Antibody [PSH08-24] - Rat IgG1 (Chimeric) (HA601426)

UNIPROT #

P35454

PROTEIN NAME

Oxytocin-neurophysin 1 / OXT

SYNONYMS

MGC126890 antibody;MGC126892 antibody;Neurophysin 1 antibody;Neurophysin I antibody;Ocytocin antibody;OT antibody;OT NPI antibody;OXT antibody;Oxytocin antibody;Oxytocin Neurophysin preproprotein antibody;Oxytocin prepro (neurophysin I) antibody;Oxytocin prepropeptide antibody;Oxytocin-neurophysin 1 antibody

SUBCELLULAR LOCATION

Secreted.

FUNCTION

Oxytocin is a peptide hormone and neuropeptide normally produced in the hypothalamus and released by the posterior pituitary. Present in animals since early stages of evolution, in humans it plays roles in behavior that include social bonding, love, reproduction, childbirth, and the period after childbirth. Oxytocin is released into the bloodstream as a hormone in response to sexual activity and during childbirth. It is also available in pharmaceutical form. In either form, oxytocin stimulates uterine contractions to speed up the process of childbirth. In its natural form, it also plays a role in maternal bonding and milk production. Production and secretion of oxytocin is controlled by a positive feedback mechanism, where its initial release stimulates production and release of further oxytocin. For example, when oxytocin is released during a contraction of the uterus at the start of childbirth, this stimulates production and release of more oxytocin and an increase in the intensity and frequency of contractions. This process compounds in intensity and frequency and continues until the triggering activity ceases. A similar process takes place during lactation and during sexual activity.