home *** CD-ROM | disk | FTP | other *** search
/ The Epic Interactive Encyclopedia 1998 / Epic Interactive Encyclopedia, The - 1998 Edition (1998)(Epic Marketing).iso / zipped / o.lha / Oxytocin / INFOTEXT < prev   
Text File  |  1992-09-02  |  493b  |  13 lines
  1. Hormone that stimulates the uterus in late
  2. pregnancy to initiate and sustain labour.
  3. After birth, it stimulates the uterine
  4. muscles to contract, reducing bleeding at the
  5. site where the placenta was attached.
  6. Intravenous injections of oxytocin may be
  7. given to induce labour, improve contractions,
  8. or control haemorrhage after birth. It is
  9. also secreted during lactation. Oxytocin
  10. sprayed in the nose a few minutes before
  11. nursing improves milk production. It is
  12. secreted by the pituitary gland.
  13.