Question

Name the source gland and give one main action of the giving hormone:
Oxytocin.

Answer 1

Hint:The human body secretes various hormones which are responsible for performing various kinds of metabolic activity in the body. Most of the hormones are the same in the human body of both genders, but a few hormones are either found only in females or in male or both but differ in concentration level to carry out different functions.

Complete answer:Oxytocin is the peptide hormone or neuropeptide hormone, it is produced by hypothalamus (master gland) and secreted by the posterior pituitary gland, it releases into the bloodstream in response to the labour and for other reproductive functions. This hormone has two major functions such as contraction of the womb or causes uterine muscles contraction during childbirth and initiates lactation after childbirth. In females, oxytocin hormone contracts the muscles of the uterus and increases the secretion of prostaglandins, which also increase the contraction. Oxytocin promotes milk production in the breast that is secreted by the mammary gland. This hormone shows different action in different sexes, in females, and shows faster response regarding social relevant stimuli as compared to male. In males, oxytocin promotes the sperm movement and the production of testosterone. Too much oxytocin is linked to the cause of prostatic hyperplasia in males, in case of too little oxytocin may cause autism and autistic spectrum disorder like Asperger syndrome. The estrogen hormone is responsible for the increase in the secretion of oxytocin.

Note: Oxytocin can be artificially synthesized and given to the pregnant female during the labour period to speed up the delivery and also reduce the chances of heavy bleeding due to contraction of the uterus.