The role of Oestrogen and Oxytocin

Question 1

What is oestrogen?

Answer 1

A group of steroid hormones which promotes the development and maintenance of female characteristics in the body

Question 2

What are examples of oestrogen steroid hormones?

Answer 2

Oestradiol, Oestrone and Oestriol

Question 3

What does oestrogen later help to regulate?

Answer 3

Menstruation

Question 4

Who produces oestrogen?

Answer 4

Although primarily a female hormone, males do produce small amounts

Question 5

What effects does oestrogen?

Answer 5

Physical changes = development of breasts

Psychological + behavioural effects = premenstrual tension

Question 6

How does oestrogen affect the brain?

Answer 6

Feminises it by promoting neural interconnections for a more distributed female brain (equal use of both hemispheres)

Question 7

What are some examples of female-type behaviours that oestrogen are associated with?

Answer 7

Sensitivity and co-operation

Question 8

What was Albrecht’s and Pepe’s research into oestrogen?

Answer 8

Found that increasing oestrogen levels in pregnant baboons led to heightened cortisol production which assisted in the development of organs and tissues in foetuses and led to reduced levels of miscarriage - showing importance of oestrogen in maintaining and promoting pregnancy

Question 9

What was Alonso and Rosenfield’s research into oestrogen?

Answer 9

Reported that oestrogen is necessary for the normal development of body area and tissue like the neuroendocrine- gonadal axis, associated with puberty in males and females. This supports the idea that oestrogen is associated with the transformation into sexually active and able not just in females but in males too

Question 10

What is Oxytocin?

Answer 10

A polypeptide hormone which acts as a neurotransmitter that controls key aspects of the reproductive system

Question 11

Who produces oxytocin and where is it produced?

Answer 11

In and outside of the brain by both males and females

Question 12

Why is Oxytocin’s action greater in females?

Answer 12

It combines with oestrogen to enhance each other’s effect.

Question 13

What does oxytocin help facilitate?

Answer 13

Childbirth (by helping to stimulate contractions) and breast feeding

Question 14

When does oxytocin increase and by how much?

Answer 14

Increases five fold during sex (although drops immediately in males after orgasm)

Question 15

How does oxytocin affect female social behaviour?

Answer 15

Affects mate selection, nesting behaviour, monogamy and pair bonding as well as nurturing, acceptance and protection of offspring

Question 16

What was Van Leengoed et al’s research into oxytocin?

Answer 16

Injected an antagonist of oxytocin into female rats shortly after birth to inhibit oxytocin production. Mothers treated in this way showed a delay in maternal behaviours such as picking up and grooming their pups. When the effects of the antagonist wore off normal maternal behaviour was seen. Supports the idea of oxytocin being involved in the promotion of maternal behaviour

Question 17

What was Elourne et al’s research into oxytocin ?

Answer 17

Assessed the administration of oxytocin in 3000 participants during the third stage of labour (a time associated with birth complications, especially during the delivery of the placenta) to find evidence of reduced blood loss, highlighting the role oxytocin plays in achieving successful childbirth

Question 18

What was White-Traut et al’s research into oxytocin?

Answer 18

Measured oxytocin levels in saliva produced by females before, during and after breastfeeding. Oxytocin levels were highest immediately before breastfeeding showing its role in promoting breastfeeding.