Oxytocin Small Molecules and Peptides

Oxytocin is a 9-amino acid, neurohypophysial peptide hormone, produced in the paraventricular nuclei of the hypothalamus and stored in the posterior pituitary. Once thought to be limited to female reproductive physiology, oxytocin also functions as a neurotransmitter, may be involved in neuropsychiatric disorders, social/sexual behavior, and is important in male reproductive physiology. Further, oxytocin and the related neurohypophysial peptide, Arg8-Vasopressin, are involved in maintenance of renal water and sodium balance.