Main functions of oxytocin

Physiological effects
(1) Effect on mammary gland: During lactation, the mammary gland continuously secretes milk under the action of prolactin and stores it in the mammary gland acinus. Oxytocin can cause the muscle epithelioid cells around the breast acini to contract, prompting the lactating breast to discharge milk.
(2) Effect on the uterus: Oxytocin has a strong contractile promoting effect on the uterus, but the pregnant uterus is more sensitive. Estrogen can increase the sensitivity of the uterus to oxytocin, while progesterone is the opposite.
(3) Effects of oxytocin on social shyness and autism: Oxytocin can help people who are socially ostracized by shyness overcome social shyness. But oxytocin nasal spray does not work for people who are already confident.
(4) When the mood is cheerful or there is a strong sense of belonging, the hypothalamus synthesizes oxytocin, and the pituitary gland secretes oxytocin, relieving stress. At the same time, the amount of oxygen supplied to tissues in the body increases significantly.
Special effects
Influence the relationship between the baby and the mother
Some experiments have shown that when people who establish close attachment relationships with them during infancy use oxytocin, their mothers in memory become more caring and considerate; For people who have been relatively indifferent to their mothers since infancy, oxytocin deepens their bad memories.
Secretory regulation
The secretion of oxytocin is mainly regulated by neural reflexivity. When infants suck on their nipples, stimulation information is transmitted to the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei of the hypothalamus, causing the secretion of oxytocin, causing the breast to eject milk, known as the ejection reflex, which belongs to the neuroendocrine reflex. On this basis, a conditioned reflex can be formed, and the baby's crying or touching can cause breast ejection.
During childbirth, the cervix and vagina are compressed and pulled, which can reflexively cause the secretion of oxytocin, helping with childbirth. Although oxytocin can stimulate uterine contractions, it is not a determining factor in initiating uterine contractions during childbirth. In addition, emotional reactions such as panic and anxiety can inhibit the secretion of oxytocin.