Definition of oxytocin in English:
oxytocin
noun ˌɒksɪˈtəʊsɪnˌäksəˈtōs(ə)n
mass nounBiochemistry A hormone released by the pituitary gland that causes increased contraction of the uterus during labour and stimulates the ejection of milk into the ducts of the breasts.
Example sentencesExamples
- The plan was to use a gradually increasing concentration of oxytocin in order to stimulate uterine contractions.
- Another chemical, the hormone oxytocin, is associated with both sexual activity and maternal bonding in humans.
- There, hormones called prolactin and oxytocin are released into the bloodstream.
- Suckling causes the mother's pituitary gland to release two hormones, oxytocin and prolactin.
- But oxytocin is also the hormone of affiliation.
Derivatives
adjective
Biochemistry The score was not influenced by use of epidural anesthesia, oxytocic agents, or prostaglandins.
Example sentencesExamples
- Patients taking certain medications, including alpha- and beta-adrenergic blocking agents, oxytocic medications, sympathomimetic agents, general anesthetics, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors are more sensitive.
- Although the research isolated prostaglandins from other forms of induction, it failed to isolate those women induced specifically with oxytocic drugs and those who were not induced but were given augmentation.
- Like ergotamine, DHE has oxytocic properties, precluding its use in pregnancy.
Origin
1920s: from Greek oxutokia 'sudden delivery' (from oxus 'sharp' + tokos 'childbirth') + -in1.