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What is oxytocin?
Oxytocin is sometimes known as the cuddle hormone because of its influence on maternal behavior and pair bonding. It is found all over the brains and reproductive systems of b…oth sexes. Oxytocin is produced naturally in the hypothalamus in the brain. It hormone that affects the brain as a result of its interactions with gonadal steroids like estrogen, progesterone, testosterone and corticosterone. This hormone is key to pair bonding. Oxytocin is a hormone that is released into the blood during many types of touching. The physical effects of oxytocin include increased sensitivity of nerve endings, stimulated muscle contractions, increased heart rate plus an urge to touch and cuddle. The emotional feelings it produces are associated with affection, bonding, caring, love, peace, nurturing, security, and attachment. Oxytocin is one of the two major hormones secreted from the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland. he posterior pituitary itself largely comprises endings of nerves whose cell bodies lie in the brain in the hypothalamus. Oxytocin is a relatively small peptide hormone, composed of only 9 amino acids. It is synthesized in nerve cells in the hypothalamus in the form of a larger, precursor molecule, which is transported down the nerve fibres through the pituitary stalk to the posterior lobe. The active hormone is cleaved from the precursor during this process. (MORE)