Adverse causatum of artificially induced oxytocin

What is Oxytocin?

Oxytocin in a nine amino acid peptide that is synthesized in hypothalamic neurons and transported down axons of the posterior pituitary for secretion into blood. Oxytocin is also secreted within the brain and from a few other tissues, including the ovaries and testes. Oxytocin differs from antidiuretic hormone in two of the nine amino acids. Both hormones are packaged into granules and secreted along with carrier proteins called neurophysins.

 

Physiologic Effects of Oxytocin

In old days, oxytocin had the reputation of being an "uncomplicated" hormone, with only a few well-defined activities related to birth and lactation. As has been the case with so many hormones, further research has demonstrated many subtle but profound influences of this little peptide. For example, administration of oxytocin to species ranging from mice to humans has revealed a number of effects on social behavior. Nevertheless, it has been best studied in females where it clearly mediates three major effects:

1. Stimulation of milk ejection (milk letdown): Milk is initially secreted into small sacs within the mammary gland called alveoli, from which it must be ejected for consumption or harvesting. Mammary alveoli are surrounded by smooth muscle (myoepithelial) cells which are a prominant target cell for oxytocin. Oxytocin stimulates contraction of myoepithelial cells, causing milk to be ejected into the ducts and cisterns.

2. Stimulation of uterine smooth muscle contraction at birth: At the end of gestation, the uterus must contract vigorously and for a prolonged period of time in order to deliver the fetus. During the later stages of gestation, there is an increase in abundance of oxytocin receptors on uterine smooth muscle cells, which is associated with increased "irritability" of the uterus (and sometimes the mother as well). Oxytocin is released during labor when the fetus stimulates the cervix and vagina, and it enhances contraction of uterine smooth muscle to facilitate parturition or birth.

In cases where uterine contractions are not sufficient to complete delivery, physicians and veterinarians sometimes administer oxytocin ("pitocin") to further stimulate uterine contractions - great care must be exercised in such situations to assure that the fetus can indeed be delivered and to avoid rupture of the uterus.

Establishment of maternal behavior: Successful reproduction in mammals demands that mothers become attached to and nourish their offspring immediately after birth. It is also important that non-lactating females do not manifest such nurturing behavior. The same events that affect the uterus and mammary gland at the time of birth also affect the brain. During parturition, there is an increase in concentration of oxytocin in cerebrospinal fluid, and oxytocin acting within the brain plays a major role in establishing maternal behavior.

Evidence for this role of oxytocin comes from two types of experiments. First, infusion of oxytocin into the ventricles of the brain of virgin rats or non-pregnant sheep rapidly induces maternal behavior. Second, administration into the brain of antibodies that neutralize oxytocin or of oxytocin antagonists will prevent mother rats from accepting their pups. Other studies support the contention that this behavioral effect of oxytocin is broadly applicable among mammals.

Use/Abuse of Oxytocin in Pakistan

Dairy farming today in Pakistan has changed a lot. Milkmen demand timed delivery and so do the consumers. For example, I need my morning tea at 7am so my milk should arive by 6am in the morning. I return from my office by 7pm, on my way back home I buy milk lets say 6:45pm, so I demand the milk should be available by that time. On the other hand a cow's lactacting system depends on the need of the calf not me! Human is the only mammal who drinks milk even after weaning. From farm to local retailer it takes a lot of time, just to sychronize everything -- from milking to selling. We now have synchronized milking. Need milk? Inject 2cc oxytocin and cow is ready for milking within minutes. Oxytocin is the most wildly producing and selling hormone across Pakistan.

Side effects of Artificially Induced Oxytocin

Each time a cow is given oxytocin she passes urine (due to labour pain) and all of the artificially induced oxytocin is removed from the body. There have been so many lab tests done, but those lab-men never found no signs of it. Which means oxytocin is not bad for human health, but. There is always a but! Each shot of oxytocin stimulates contraction of myoepithelial cells and it enhances contraction of uterine smooth muscle. This differs from the natural secretion of oxytocin released within the body. Thus giving a cow labour pain again and again. This synchronous urethral stimulation makes a cow sterile, means which won't be able to give birth ever.

Major side effect is that cows of better quality go to slaughterhouse right after their first lactation. Pakistan is losing it best milk producing breeds of both; cows and buffalos. No commercial farmer is willing to stop abusing artificial oxytocin to his dairy herd. Today our cows are just like a milk dispencer, give 'em a shot of 'tocin and fill your jug of milk!