Oxytocin is produced in the hypothalamus and released into the circulation through the neurohypophyseal system. Peripherally released oxytocin facilitates parturition and milk ejection during nursing. Centrally released oxytocin coordinates the onset of maternal nurturing behavior at parturition and plays a role in mother-infant bonding. More recent studies have revealed a more general role for oxytocin in modulating affiliative behavior in both sexes. Oxytocin regulates alloparental care and pair bonding in female monogamous prairie voles. Social recognition in male and female mice is also modulated by oxytocin. In humans, oxytocin increases gaze to the eye region of human faces and enhances interpersonal trust and the ability to infer the emotions of others from facial cues. While the neurohypopheseal oxytocin system has been well characterized, less is known regarding the nature of oxytocin release within the brain. Here we review the role of oxytocin in the regulation of prosocial interactions, and discuss the neuroanatomy of the central oxytocin system.

中文翻译：

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催产素和调节社会认知和亲和行为的神经机制

催产素在下丘脑中产生并通过神经垂体系统释放到循环中。外周释放的催产素促进哺乳期间的分娩和乳汁排出。中枢释放的催产素在分娩时协调母体养育行为的发生，并在母婴结合中发挥作用。最近的研究揭示了催产素在调节两性从属行为方面的更普遍作用。催产素调节雌性一夫一妻制草原田鼠的同种亲本护理和配对。雄性和雌性小鼠的社会认知也受催产素调节。在人类中，催产素增加了对人脸眼部区域的注视，增强了人际信任和从面部线索推断他人情绪的能力。虽然神经垂体催产素系统已被很好地表征，对大脑内催产素释放的性质知之甚少。在这里，我们回顾了催产素在调节亲社会互动中的作用，并讨论了中枢催产素系统的神经解剖学。