Release of oxytocin by the posterior pituitary gland is controlled by:
a) Oxytocin releasing hormone
b) Neural signals from hypothalamus
c) Neural signals from the thalamus
d) Changes in body temperature
e) Changes in arterial blood pressure
b) Neural signals from hypothalamus
The release of oxytocin by the posterior pituitary gland is primarily controlled by two factors: oxytocin releasing hormone and neural signals from the hypothalamus.
Oxytocin releasing hormone (also known as oxytocin-releasing factor or neurophysin I), which is produced by the hypothalamus, binds to specific receptors on the cells of the posterior pituitary gland. This binding triggers the release of oxytocin into the bloodstream.
Additionally, neural signals from the hypothalamus play a crucial role in regulating the release of oxytocin. The hypothalamus contains specialized cells that sense various stimuli, such as touch, sight, or emotional cues. When these sensory stimuli are detected, neural signals are sent from the hypothalamus to the posterior pituitary gland, stimulating the release of oxytocin.
Therefore, the correct answer to your question would be:
a) Oxytocin releasing hormone
b) Neural signals from the hypothalamus