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Oxytocin

Oxytocin

Base Peptides are intended for licensed medical professionals and experienced researchers. Reconstitution required. Dosing and use instructions are not provided.

$75.00
$75.00
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Oxytocin — Endogenous Nonapeptide (Neuroendocrine Research)

Oxytocin is a naturally occurring nonapeptide produced in the hypothalamus and released from the posterior pituitary. It’s widely used in research to study social behavior and stress responses, as well as uterine smooth-muscle contraction and lactation physiology.

Identifiers
  • CAS: 50-56-6
  • PubChem CID: 439302
  • Molecular formula / MW: C43H66N12O12S2 · ~1007.19 g·mol⁻¹ (free peptide)
  • Sequence (human): Cys–Tyr–Ile–Gln–Asn–Cys–Pro–Leu–Gly–NH2
  • Structure note: Intramolecular disulfide bond between Cys1–Cys6; amidated C-terminus.
How It Works (Plain English)
  • Binds the Oxytocin Receptor (OXTR), a G-protein–coupled receptor typically signaling through Gq/11 → phospholipase C → intracellular Ca2+.
  • Peripherally, it’s a classic model for uterotonic activity and milk let-down in lactation studies.
  • Centrally, it’s used to explore social bonding, trust, anxiety, and HPA-axis modulation (stress physiology).
Why Researchers Use It
  • To map OXTR signaling (Ca2+ dynamics, IP3, ERK) and receptor pharmacology.
  • To study social behavior and affiliative cues in animal and human lab paradigms.
  • To probe uterine contractility, myoepithelial responses, and smooth-muscle mechanics.

Key Studies — What Was Tested, What Changed, Why It Matters

Uterine & lactation mechanics (classic physiology)
  • What was tested: OXTR activation in uterine and mammary tissues; Ca2+-dependent contraction and myoepithelial responses.
  • What changed: Robust, dose-dependent contractions and milk ejection in ex vivo and in vivo models.
  • Why it matters: Provides a reproducible benchmark for smooth-muscle pharmacology and receptor-signal coupling.
Social behavior & stress modulation (CNS)
  • What was tested: Controlled exposure (often intranasal in human lab work; central/peripheral in animals) with behavioral and endocrine endpoints.
  • What changed: Context-dependent effects on social salience, prosocial behavior, and HPA-axis readouts (e.g., cortisol).
  • Why it matters: Supports oxytocin as a tool for dissecting neuroendocrine–behavior links.
Receptor selectivity & cross-talk
  • What was tested: Binding and functional assays vs. vasopressin receptors (V1a/V1b/V2).
  • What changed: At higher concentrations, oxytocin can show cross-reactivity with vasopressin receptors in some systems.
  • Why it matters: Design experiments to separate OXTR-specific effects from AVP-receptor activity.

Potential Research Applications

Neuroendocrine & Behavior

  • Social-interaction tasks; stress-challenge/HPA-axis assays
  • fMRI/EEG with pharmacologic OXTR probing

Reproductive Biology

  • Uterine contractility / myometrium signaling
  • Mammary myoepithelial dynamics (let-down models)

Receptor Pharmacology

  • OXTR vs AVP receptor selectivity
  • Biased signaling, desensitization, and internalization

Synergistic Peptides (for Study Design)

Vasopressin (Arg8-Vasopressin)

  • Why pair: Closely related nonapeptide; helps parse OXTR vs AVP receptor effects and social-stress interactions.
  • Angle: Cross-over designs with receptor antagonists (e.g., V1a blockers) to isolate pathways.

Carbetocin (Oxytocin analogue)

  • Why pair: Longer-acting analogue for stability/PK comparisons.
  • Angle: Contrast onset/offset, receptor desensitization, and tissue selectivity.

Atosiban (OXTR/AVP antagonist)

  • Why pair: Useful antagonist control to confirm OXTR-mediated effects.
  • Angle: Include antagonist arm to verify specificity in uterine and CNS assays.

Design Notes

  • Clearly define route (peripheral vs central/intranasal in lab settings), timing, and endpoints.
  • Account for short half-life (minutes in plasma); consider repeated or controlled delivery for time-course work.
  • Report salt/form (e.g., acetate) and vehicle; peptide stability and adsorption can affect results.

Known Concerns (Context)

  • Peripheral vs central effects: Limited CNS penetration peripherally—designs should match the question (behavior vs peripheral physiology).
  • Cross-reactivity: Possible AVP receptor activity at high concentrations; include selectivity controls.
  • General: Research use only; not for human consumption or therapeutic use.

Follow institutional SOPs for peptide handling; pre-register endpoints where applicable.

Specifications & Handling

  • Form: Lyophilized powder (lot-coded)
  • Purity: ≥ 99% (HPLC/MS verified)
  • Storage: ≤ −20 °C; protect from light/moisture
  • In solution: Prepare fresh aliquots; avoid repeat freeze–thaw; use low-bind plastics/glass to reduce adsorption
  • Additives: None unless specified per lot
  • Packaging: Tamper-evident; research-only labeling

Regulatory & Use Notice

Sold for laboratory research use only. Not for human consumption, medical, or veterinary use. No human-use instructions are provided. Buyer is responsible for safe handling and regulatory compliance.

Oxytocin Peptide Research | Nonapeptide | OXTR Signaling, Social Behavior, Uterine Contractility & Lactation Studies

Keywords: oxytocin peptide, OXTR receptor, nonapeptide hormone, social bonding research, uterotonic, lactation, vasopressin comparison, Base Peptides.

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Instructions are NOT provided before or after purchase.

Peptide molecules are unfinished and require reconstitution from a skilled and licensed professional to activate the compound into liquid form. Instructions are not provided for reconstitution, dosing, or adminstration. All products are strictly intended for research purposes and laboratory experimentation. Handling should be by skilled licensed and credentialed professionals only. Non experimental use is strictly prohibited.
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