Oxytocin

Oxytocin in Laboratory Research

Oxytocin is a cyclic nine-residue neuropeptide produced in the hypothalamus, characterised by a disulfide-bridged ring between its two cysteine residues and a short C-terminal tail. Its compact, well-defined sequence makes it a common reference compound in neuropeptide and receptor-signalling research.

Laboratories keep it on hand as a defined oxytocin-receptor (OXTR) agonist when a well-characterised ligand is needed under controlled laboratory conditions.

Research Applications & Study Focus

Studies using oxytocin concentrate on OXTR binding and signalling, social-behaviour and affiliation models, and smooth-muscle and calcium-signalling preparations. It is frequently used in receptor-binding assays, second-messenger and intracellular-calcium readouts, and comparative work against the closely related peptide vasopressin.

Reproducible lot specification supports consistent assay conditions across repeated receptor-pharmacology and behavioural-model experiments.

Purity, Handling & Verification

Each batch is supplied as a sealed, lyophilized vial and is independently analysed by a third-party laboratory using HPLC and mass spectrometry; the full certificate of analysis is published against its lot number, so results can be verified before use. Store the lyophilized material cool, dry and out of direct light, and reconstitute with bacteriostatic water under standard aseptic laboratory practice.

This material is offered strictly for in vitro laboratory research use only. It is not for human or veterinary consumption, and not for diagnostic or therapeutic use.