Scientific Reference

Oxytocin

Evidence profile: Controlled human evidence

Oxytocin is a cyclic nonapeptide hormone and neuropeptide produced in the hypothalamus and released by the posterior pituitary. It is central to social bonding, emotional regulation, reproduction and lactation, and is widely studied in neuroscience for its role in social cognition. Licensed medicines containing synthetic oxytocin exist and are prescribed by clinicians in obstetric settings; the material supplied here is a research compound and is not one of them.

Published Research

  • Impact of chronic intranasal oxytocin administration on face expression processing in autistic children: a randomized controlled trial using fMRI

    Moerkerke M et al. · Molecular autism · 2024 · Clinical

    PMID 39709442 — View on PubMed
  • A randomized controlled trial examining the effects of intranasal oxytocin on alcohol craving and intimate partner aggression among couples

    Flanagan JC et al. · Journal of psychiatric research · 2022 · Clinical

    PMID 35709548 — View on PubMed
  • High- vs low-dose oxytocin protocols for labor induction: a systematic review and meta-analysis

    Grasch JL et al. · American journal of obstetrics & gynecology MFM · 2025 · Review

    PMID 40334983 — View on PubMed
  • Reduced risk of cesarean delivery with oxytocin discontinuation in active labor: a systematic review and meta-analysis

    Whitley J et al. · American journal of obstetrics and gynecology · 2025 · Review

    PMID 40113155 — View on PubMed
  • Oxytocin and vaginal dinoprostone in labor induction: A systematic review and meta-analysis

    Chang TA et al. · International journal of gynaecology and obstetrics: the official organ of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics · 2024 · Review

    PMID 38404054 — View on PubMed
  • Association of oxytocin augmentation with postpartum hemorrhage: a systematic review and meta-analysis

    Jafarabady K et al. · The journal of maternal-fetal & neonatal medicine : the official journal of the European Association of Perinatal Medicine, the Federation of Asia and Oceania Perinatal Societies, the International Society of Perinatal Obstetricians · 2024 · Review

    PMID 38910114 — View on PubMed