Oxytocin

Oxytocin is a hormone secreted by the pituitary gland (an endocrine gland in the human body).

It is one of a group of hormones that control sexual development and processes.

The roles of oxytocin are slightly different in men and women:

The actions of oxytocin hormone in men include:

Thought to induce pair bonding in people - in both males and females;

Playing some role in orgasms - in both males and females;

Facilitating sperm transport in ejaculation. .

The actions of oxytocin hormone in women include:

Thought to induce pair bonding in people - in both males and females;

Playing some role in orgasms - in both males and females;

Causing contraction of the uterus during labour;

Stimulating milk flow from the breasts by causing the contraction of muscle fibres in the milk ducts;

Inducing maternal behaviour.