Oxytocin: research overview
What oxytocin is
Oxytocin is a nonapeptide, a chain of nine amino acid residues joined by peptide bonds. Two cysteine residues form a disulfide bridge that closes a ring in the middle of the molecule, and the C-terminus is amidated. This short, well defined structure makes the identity of the peptide easy to confirm by mass spectrometry.
The peptide is produced in the hypothalamus and then stored and released from the posterior pituitary. It is one of the best described neuropeptides in the literature. Oxytocin is also a registered medicine that has been used in obstetrics for decades, and clinical studies on its effects on social behaviour have been reported.
Mechanism described in research
Oxytocin acts as an agonist of the oxytocin receptor, a member of the G protein-coupled receptor family. Once the receptor is engaged, studies describe a phospholipase C dependent pathway that raises intracellular calcium. Research has also reported affinity for vasopressin receptors, particularly at higher concentrations, so selectivity should be controlled in every experimental design.
Isolated tissue preparations have shown contraction of uterine smooth muscle. Animal models have linked the peptide to social behaviour and to signalling in the nervous system. Results depend on the model, concentration and exposure time, so every project is best planned around these variables.
Research areas
- Neurobiology of social behaviour in animal models
- Stress axis and neuroendocrine regulation in experimental studies
- Uterine smooth muscle in isolated tissue preparations
- Mammary gland and lactation in animal models
- Receptor signalling in cell culture
Product specification
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | Oxytocin |
| CAS number | 50-56-6 |
| Molecular formula | C43H66N12O12S2 |
| Molecular mass | 1007.2 g/mol |
| Sequence | Cys-Tyr-Ile-Gln-Asn-Cys-Pro-Leu-Gly-NH2 |
| Form | lyophilised powder |
| Purity | ≥ 99% (HPLC) |
| Available sizes | 2 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg |
Working in the laboratory
Storage and reconstitution
- Store the lyophilised powder at -20 °C, tightly sealed and protected from light.
- Let the vial reach room temperature before opening it to limit condensation.
- Keep the solution at 2-8 °C after reconstitution.
- Avoid repeated freezing and thawing. Split the solution into working aliquots so each one is used once.
The role of the solvent
Oxytocin dissolves well in water, which is the standard solvent in most laboratories. Bacteriostatic water is the most common choice because it slows bacterial growth in a vial that is opened repeatedly. Acetic acid at a low concentration is an alternative when your team plans it in the protocol. Always record the chosen solvent in your experiment documentation.
Batch quality
Every batch is checked by HPLC, which confirms purity of ≥ 99%. The MS result confirms the mass of 1007.2 g/mol, consistent with the formula C43H66N12O12S2.
Quantity discounts are calculated automatically in the shop: 5% off for 2 pieces, 10% off for 3 and 15% off for 5. Orders from 50 EUR (40 GBP, 55 USD) that include a peptide vial also receive a free 10 ml vial of bacteriostatic water.
Related products
- PE-22-28, a neuropeptide reagent used in signalling studies in the nervous system
- Selank, a heptapeptide studied in neurobiological models
- DSIP, a nonapeptide described in research on sleep-wake rhythms in animal models
Browse more reagents in the neuropeptides category. Our batch data is explained on the quality page, and the concentration calculator helps you convert between amounts and concentrations.
