Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Oxytocin: a paracrine regulator of prostatic function

H D Nicholson1

  • 1University of Bristol, Department of Anatomy, School of Medical Sciences, UK.

Reviews of Reproduction
|May 1, 1996
PubMed
Summary

Oxytocin, a peptide hormone, is locally produced in the prostate and influences epithelial growth and muscle activity. It may play a role in benign prostatic hyperplasia by affecting testosterone conversion.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

International perspectives on supporting the career development of anatomists.

Anatomical sciences education·2025
Same author

Changes in receptor location affect the ability of oxytocin to stimulate proliferative growth in prostate epithelial cells.

Reproduction, fertility, and development·2019
Same author

The anatomy of the hip abductor muscles.

Clinical anatomy (New York, N.Y.)·2013
Same author

Hip abductor muscle volume in women with lateral hip pain: a case-controlled study.

Surgical and radiologic anatomy : SRA·2012
Same author

Changes in caveolae, caveolin, and polymerase 1 and transcript release factor (PTRF) expression in prostate cancer progression.

The Prostate·2010
Same author

The effects of oestrogen receptors alpha and beta on testicular cell number and steroidogenesis in mice.

Reproduction (Cambridge, England)·2007

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Endocrinology
  • Urology
  • Molecular Endocrinology

Background:

  • Oxytocin functions as both a classic hormone and a local paracrine factor.
  • It is produced in the reproductive organs, including the testis and ovary, modulating steroidogenesis and contractility.
  • Oxytocin is also found in the prostate and seminal fluid, with evidence suggesting local production.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of oxytocin in prostate physiology.
  • To explore the effects of oxytocin on prostate epithelial growth and contractility.
  • To examine the relationship between oxytocin, androgens, and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Main Methods:

  • The study reviews existing evidence on oxytocin's presence and function in the prostate.
  • Investigates the impact of oxytocin on epithelial cell growth and muscular tone.
  • Examines the regulation of prostatic oxytocin by androgens and its potential link to 5 alpha-reductase activity.

Main Results:

  • Oxytocin increases prostate epithelial growth and enhances muscular tone and contractile activity.
  • Prostatic oxytocin levels are regulated by androgens.
  • Oxytocin's effects may be mediated through the enzyme 5 alpha-reductase, influencing testosterone to dihydrotestosterone conversion.

Conclusions:

  • Oxytocin acts as a paracrine factor in the prostate, regulating cell growth.
  • Androgens modulate prostatic oxytocin concentrations.
  • Oxytocin may be implicated in the pathophysiology of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Related Experiment Videos