Possible Interaction: Oxytocin and Steroids

“We discuss the controversy over the interesting studies that indicate modulation of oxytocin receptor‐binding by steroids.”

“The current consensus suggests that the sex steroids are acting indirectly on both the OT and OTR genes, possibly involving intermediate transcription factors or cofactors.”

“Vasopressin, oxytocin and melatonin have been reported to be influenced by ovarian steroids.”

“The results suggest an involvement of oxytocin in the autocrine/paracrine regulation of steroid , insulin-like growth factor, prostaglandin and cyclic nucleotide release by human ovarian cells.”

“It is therefore considered that the steroid hormones added just before oxytocin stimulation might act on receptor levels and modify intracellular Ca2+ response over short periods.”

“Recent reports demonstrate that steroid hormones increase oxytocin (OXT) expression in skeletal muscle, indicating that OXT may play a role in satellite cell activity.”

“Thus, in the hypothalamic nuclei, centrally released oxytocin acting in synergy with steroids can induce such plasticity, while adrenaline, acting through β-adrenergic mechanisms, does so in the neurohypophysis.”

“We reported previously that oxytocin modulates steroid production by both theca and granulosa cells obtained from bovine preovulatory follicles, implying actions of oxytocin on both cell types of preovulatory follicles.”

“Thus ovarian steroids do influence the renal responsiveness to oxytocin with oestradiol augmenting the response.”

“… oxytocin also appears to be involved in a positive feedback loop regulating steroid output, these results show that endogenous progesterone itself is a key feedback element in the cascade of events termed luteinization, and that possibly anti-gestagens can influence ovarian function in vivo by directly disrupting this process.”