Oxytocin in the human--regulation of derivations and destinations

Evans, JJ

doi:10.1530/eje.0.1370559

Cited by 36 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 129 publications

(96 reference statements)

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“…However, only plasma prolactin levels increased significantly after orgasm indicating that prolactin may represent a prominent, sustained and reliable endocrine marker of orgasm. Although different plasma half-lives have to be considered, the longer lasting response of postorgasmic prolactin elevation supports the hypothesized biological impact of this hormone, whereas short alterations of oxytocin concentrations during orgasm may simply reflect contractile properties on reproductive tissue like the uterus (Evans 1997, Meston & Frohlich 2000. Finally, prolactin is an easily detectable and economical endocrine parameter for investigations in sexual sciences.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Specificity of the neuroendocrine response to orgasm during sexual arousal in men

Krüger¹,

Haake²,

Chereath³

et al. 2003

Journal of Endocrinology

157

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We have demonstrated that sexual activity produces transient sympathoadrenal activation and a pronounced, longlasting increase in prolactin in men and women. However, by analyzing endocrine alterations at 10-min intervals, a precise assignment of these changes to the pre-, peri-and postorgasmic periods was not possible. Thus, the current study aimed to accurately differentiate the endocrine response to sexual arousal and orgasm in men using an automatic blood collection technique with 2-min sampling intervals. Blood was drawn continuously before, during and after orgasm over a total period of 40 min in 10 healthy subjects and were compared with samples obtained under a control condition. Sexual activity induced transient increases of plasma epinephrine and norepinephrine levels during orgasm with a rapid decline thereafter. In contrast, prolactin levels increased immediately after orgasm and remained elevated throughout the experiment. Although oxytocin was acutely increased after orgasm, these changes were not consistent and did not reach statistical significance. Vasopressin, LH, FSH and testosterone plasma concentrations remained unaltered during sexual arousal and orgasm. These data confirm that prolactin is secreted after orgasm and, compared with oxytocin, seems to represent a more reliable and sustained marker for orgasm in man. The results further reinforce a role for prolactin either as a neuroendocrine reproductive reflex or as a feedback mechanism modulating dopaminergic systems in the central nervous system that are responsible for appetitive behavior.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Specificity of the neuroendocrine response to orgasm during sexual arousal in men

Krüger¹,

Haake²,

Chereath³

et al. 2003

Journal of Endocrinology

157

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“…AVP was also shown to be released during sexual arousal (10). The role of OT in the processes of lactation and parturition is well documented (1,11). In addition, it has central functions, such as facilitation of the maternal behavior (12) and lordosis (13), and inhibition of learning and memory (14).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Vasopressin and Oxytocin Neurons of the Human Supraoptic and Paraventricular Nucleus; Size Changes in Relation to Age and Sex

Ishunina

Swaab

1999

The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism

106

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The hypothalamic supraoptic (SON) and paraventricular (PVN) nuclei consist of arginine vasopressin (AVP)- and oxytocin (OT)-synthesizing neurons that send projections to the neurohypophysis, whereas the PVN also projects to other brain areas. A growing body of evidence in animals suggests the presence of sex differences in the vasopressinergic and oxytocinergic systems. The present study was aimed at determining whether the sizes of AVP and OT neurons in the human SON and PVN show sex differences, as earlier studies demonstrated that a change in neuronal size is a sensitive parameter for activity. The minimal and maximal diameters were determined to estimate the volumes of cell somata and cell nuclei in AVP and OT neurons stained with an antibody against human glycoprotein-(22-39), a part of the AVP precursor, and a monoclonal anti-OT antibody in 15 men and 17 women ranging in age from 29-94 yr. The AVP neurons appeared to be larger in young men than in young women (< or =50 yr old). In elderly women (>50 yr old) AVP cell size considerably exceeded that in young women. In elderly men AVP neurons were larger than in young men and elderly women, although these differences were not significant. In addition, AVP cell size correlated positively with age in women but not in men. No significant differences were found in the AVP cell nucleus volumes among all four groups studied. Sex differences in the size of the PVN vasopressin neurons were pronounced at the left side (P = 0.048) and absent at the right side (P = 0.368), indicating the presence of functional lateralization in this nucleus. No difference was found in any morphometric parameter of OT neurons in the PVN among the 4 groups studied. Thus, our data demonstrate sex differences in the size of the AVP neurons, and thus in their function, that are age and probably also side dependent and the absence of such changes in OT neurons in the PVN. These data provide a basis for the reported higher AVP plasma levels in men compared to women.

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“…In the rat, uterine artery smooth muscle sensitivity to oxytocin is attenuated during the course of pregnancy although its change during the postpartum period is unknown [6] . Postpartum, central oxytocin secretion is fully activated [7] . Breastfeeding apparently accelerates uterine involution via oxytocin stimulation [8] .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Change in Morphology and Oxytocin Receptor Expression in the Uterine Blood Vessels during the Involution Process

Wakasa

Nakayama³

et al. 2008

Gynecol Obstet Invest

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Background: The histological changes in uterine blood vessels during pregnancy have been well investigated, but there have been few reports focusing on the changes in blood vessels during the involution process, especially within the first 24 h. We observed the process of uterine involution, focusing on the vessels of the resected uterus. Methods: Paraffin-embedded uterine samples from 15 patients who underwent hysterectomy because of severe cervical laceration and uterine rupture were examined. The time between delivery and hysterectomy ranged from 15 min to 456 h. The specimens were stained with hematoxylin-eosin, elastica-van Gieson and an antioxytocin receptor antibody. Results: Changes in the uterine vessels varied substantially based on their location. The intima in arteries of the endometrial side thickened within 5 h after delivery. On the serosal side, phlebosclerosis was demonstrated 6 weeks postpartum. Immunoreactivity for the oxytocin receptor (OTR) appeared in the muscular medias of arteries 5 h after delivery although it was not expressed before this period. Conclusion: Remodeling of uterine vessels involved thickening of the arterial intima and OTR expression in vessel walls during the first 5 h postpartum; the parameters normalized within 6 weeks. However, phlebosclerosis persisted for a long time on the serosal side.

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Oxytocin in the human--regulation of derivations and destinations

Cited by 36 publications

References 129 publications

Specificity of the neuroendocrine response to orgasm during sexual arousal in men

Specificity of the neuroendocrine response to orgasm during sexual arousal in men

Vasopressin and Oxytocin Neurons of the Human Supraoptic and Paraventricular Nucleus; Size Changes in Relation to Age and Sex

Change in Morphology and Oxytocin Receptor Expression in the Uterine Blood Vessels during the Involution Process

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