Oxytocin is a naturally occurring nine-amino-acid peptide hormone made in the hypothalamus. It is one of the most studied neuropeptides, with a large body of animal research and many human trials.
Oxytocin acts on the oxytocin receptor (OXTR), a seven-transmembrane G protein-coupled receptor that can couple to Gq or Gi proteins [1]. Receptor activation engages PLC, PKC, MAPK and CaMK cascades that converge on the transcription factors CREB and MEF-2 [1]. Links between oxytocin signaling and bone cells are an active, still-developing research area [4].
| Study | Model | Reported result | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oxytocin in high-fat-diet mice [2] | Mouse High-fat-diet model (10-week high-fat diet), male C57BL/6J mice | Researchers measured social and object-recognition test performance; serum oxytocin and hypothalamic oxytocin mRNA rose. | Peer-reviewed Frontiers in Endocrinology 2020 |
| Oxytocin-loaded hydrogel graft [3] | Rat Critical-size (8 mm) calvarial bone-defect model, Wistar rats, n=20 per group | Researchers measured new-bone area at weeks 4 and 8 vs comparison grafts; see publication. | Peer-reviewed J Orthop Res 2020 |
| Oxytocin and bone review [4] | Review Review of rodent, rabbit and human observational bone studies | Notes ovariectomy lowered plasma oxytocin about 40% in mice and 35% in rats; summarizes receptor-knockout findings. | Peer-reviewed Int J Mol Sci 2021 |
| Randomized human trial (see publication) [5] | Human 96 adult couples, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 12 weeks | Primary endpoints: prespecified behavioral measures (see publication). Published. | Peer-reviewed J Clin Psychiatry 2025 |
| Randomized human study (conference abstract) [6] | Human 39 adults, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 8 weeks | Endpoints: social-responsiveness, clinical-impression and quality-of-life questionnaires. Conference abstract. | Conference abstract European Psychiatry 2024 |
| The oxytocin receptor: signaling to behavior [1] | Review Comprehensive review of OXTR signaling | Describes OXTR G-protein coupling, downstream kinase cascades and reported effects on neurite outgrowth and cell viability. | Peer-reviewed Physiological Reviews 2018 |
Human trials are listed for research context only; outcomes are reported in the linked publications. Animal and lab results do not establish effects in humans.
PureLab does not supply this compound. This page summarizes published research only.
