Glossary O

Oxytocin refers to a hormone released by the posterior pituitary; also a neurotransmitter ; important for sexual and parental behaviors; a hormone secreted by the hypothalamus that may contribute to the physical bond between a mother and her infant. Moreover, Oxytocin is a Pituitary hormone that stimulates labor contractions. It is from the Greek oxys, meaning "quick," and tokos, meaning "birth"