Pharmacology: Oxytocin is a cyclic nonapeptide obtained by chemical synthesis. The synthetic form is identical to the natural hormone stored in the posterior pituitary and released into the systemic circulation during lactation and childbirth. Oxytocin stimulating contraction of smooth muscles of the uterus stronger towards the end of pregnancy, during labor and immediately after childbirth. At this time oxytocin receptors in the myometrium is increased. Oxytocin raises regular contractions on the surface of the uterus, with similar strength, frequency and duration to contractions that is observed during labor. The synthetic form of Oxytocin does not contain vasopressin, but in its pure form, oxytocin has the form of a weak vasopressin, such as antidiuretic work. Long-term use of oxytocin have been reported to cause desensitization of the oxytocin receptor may be caused by decreasing order of bonding oxytocin, oxytocin receptor mRNA destabilization and oxytocin receptor internalization.
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