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Order a full sealed 10-vial research pack for a complete study supply, or add a single-vial sample alongside your pack to trial a new compound first. Same lab, same batch, same verified purity — scaled to whatever your research needs.

What It's Researched For

In plain terms, oxytocin is the best-characterised social and smooth-muscle peptide there is. Here is what researchers actually use it for.

Receptor reference ligand

The standard agonist used to characterise the oxytocin receptor in binding, signalling and antagonist-screening assays.

Social cognition research

A core tool in laboratory studies of affiliative behaviour, trust paradigms and social recognition — mostly in animal models.

Smooth-muscle physiology

Used in classical tissue-bath work on uterine and mammary smooth muscle, one of the oldest assays in peptide pharmacology.

Positive control

Its exceptionally well-documented pharmacology makes it a dependable control compound in wider neuropeptide experiments.

Overview

In short: Oxytocin acetate is the acetate salt of the endogenous nonapeptide hormone oxytocin — the canonical oxytocin-receptor agonist and one of the most thoroughly characterised peptides in biology.

Key research facts

Canonical reference agonist at the oxytocin receptor (OXTR) for binding and signalling assays

First peptide hormone ever sequenced and chemically synthesised (du Vigneaud, Nobel Prize 1955)

Extensively characterised structure — a nine-residue cyclic peptide with a defined disulfide bridge

Studied across social-cognition, affiliative-behaviour and trust research paradigms

Used in smooth-muscle physiology research on uterine and mammary tissue

Research use only. These points summarise lab themes, not human outcomes.

Oxytocin holds a genuine landmark position in chemistry: it was the first peptide hormone whose structure was determined and the first to be chemically synthesised, work carried out by Vincent du Vigneaud and recognised with the 1955 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Structurally it is a nine-residue cyclic peptide — Cys-Tyr-Ile-Gln-Asn-Cys-Pro-Leu-Gly-NH₂ — closed by a disulfide bridge between the first and sixth cysteines, differing from vasopressin at only two positions.

Physiologically it is synthesised in the hypothalamus and released from the posterior pituitary, acting at the oxytocin receptor (OXTR), a class-A GPCR that signals principally through Gq/11 and phospholipase C. Research using oxytocin falls into three broad streams: classical smooth-muscle physiology in uterine and mammary tissue, central neuromodulation, and the large social-cognition literature on affiliative behaviour, social recognition and trust. That last body of work carries an important methodological caveat — how much peripherally administered oxytocin actually reaches the central nervous system remains actively debated.

The material supplied here is research-grade oxytocin acetate for in-vitro and preclinical work. It is not the approved medicinal oxytocin product used in clinical settings, it is not a substitute for one, and it is not for human use. Nothing on this page is medical advice.

Mechanism of Action

Oxytocin is a full agonist at the oxytocin receptor (OXTR), a class-A GPCR signalling principally through Gq/11-phospholipase C to mobilise intracellular calcium — driving smooth-muscle contraction peripherally and modulating neuronal excitability centrally.

Pathway Effect Why it matters OXTR / Gq-PLC signalling Activates phospholipase C, generating IP₃ and mobilising intracellular calcium The primary transduction route underlying smooth-muscle contraction Uterine smooth muscle Increases myometrial contractile frequency and amplitude in tissue models The classical bioassay on which oxytocin pharmacology was originally built Central neuromodulation Modulates excitability in amygdala, hypothalamic and limbic circuits in animal models Mechanistic basis proposed for the social-behaviour literature Vasopressin-receptor cross-talk Retains measurable affinity at V1a/V2 vasopressin receptors A confound that must be controlled for in selectivity experiments

Deeper dive for scientific readers

Oxytocin and vasopressin differ at only two of nine residues, and the resulting receptor cross-reactivity is one of the central methodological problems in the field — apparent oxytocin effects can reflect vasopressin-receptor engagement unless selective antagonists are used as controls. Pharmacokinetically the peptide is short-lived, with plasma half-life commonly reported between 1 and 6 minutes and rapid degradation by oxytocinase alongside hepatic and renal clearance. The most contested question concerns central penetration: the intranasal social-cognition literature assumes meaningful CNS delivery, but direct measurement of central concentrations after peripheral administration has produced inconsistent results, and several influential behavioural findings have replicated poorly. For research purposes oxytocin is best regarded as an extremely well-characterised peripheral pharmacological tool whose central behavioural literature demands careful controls.

Common Questions People Are Asking

What is oxytocin acetate used for in research?

It is the canonical reference agonist at the oxytocin receptor, used in binding, signalling and antagonist-screening assays, in classical uterine and mammary smooth-muscle physiology, and across social-cognition and affiliative-behaviour paradigms in animal models. It is supplied here for laboratory research only and is not for human use.

Why the acetate salt?

Acetate is the standard counter-ion for research-grade peptides. It improves handling and stability of the lyophilised powder and dissolves cleanly in bacteriostatic water or sterile saline. The active nonapeptide is identical; the acetate simply accompanies it as the salt form, which is why the quoted 1007.19 Da molecular weight refers to the free peptide.

Is this the same as the oxytocin used in hospitals?

No. An approved medicinal oxytocin product exists and is used clinically under professional supervision for obstetric indications. The material supplied here is unapproved research-grade laboratory material intended for in-vitro and preclinical work. It is not a substitute for an approved medicine and is not for human use.

How is oxytocin proposed to work?

It is a full agonist at the oxytocin receptor (OXTR), a class-A GPCR that signals principally through Gq/11 and phospholipase C, generating IP₃ and mobilising intracellular calcium. Peripherally this drives smooth-muscle contraction; centrally it modulates excitability in amygdala, hypothalamic and limbic circuits in animal models. Note that oxytocin retains measurable affinity at vasopressin V1a and V2 receptors, so selectivity controls matter.

How should oxytocin acetate be stored?

Keep the lyophilised powder frozen at −20 °C. After reconstitution with bacteriostatic water or sterile saline, refrigerate at 1–6 °C and protect from light. As a disulfide-bridged cyclic peptide it is sensitive to reducing conditions and repeated freeze-thaw cycles, so aliquot after reconstitution where the protocol allows.

Where can I buy Oxytocin Acetate?

Right here — Oxytocin Acetate is supplied directly by New-U Research Compounds on this page. Every batch is independently third-party tested to >99% HPLC purity with a batch-linked Certificate of Analysis, supplied as lyophilised research-grade material, and shipped direct from source worldwide in discreet, tracked packaging. Strictly for laboratory research use only — not for human use.

How much does Oxytocin Acetate cost?

Oxytocin Acetate pricing is shown live on this page, per pack size — 10-vial research packs as standard, with single-vial sample options on selected compounds. Larger vial strengths lower the per-mg cost, every order includes the batch Certificate of Analysis, and shipping is free on orders over $300.

Is Oxytocin Acetate third-party tested?

Yes. Every Oxytocin Acetate batch is verified by independent laboratories (Janoshik Analytics and Freedom Diagnostics) for identity and purity, with a batch-linked Certificate of Analysis confirming >99% purity by HPLC. Every order ships with its COA, and current batch certificates are published on our COA page.

How do I buy Oxytocin Acetate?

Add the Oxytocin Acetate pack size you need to your cart and check out: enter your shipping details, then choose your payment method — cryptocurrency or card — on the next step. Every order ships with its batch Certificate of Analysis (COA). Oxytocin Acetate is supplied strictly for laboratory research use only, not for human or veterinary use.

What payment methods can I use to buy Oxytocin Acetate?

At checkout you can pay by cryptocurrency (BTC, ETH, SOL, LTC, USDC, USDT and more) or by card, each handled by a dedicated secure payment provider. You choose your method after confirming your order.

How fast is shipping, and do you ship worldwide?

Yes — we ship worldwide in discreet, unmarked, temperature-stable, tracked packaging. Delivery typically takes 6–14 business days, and shipping is free on orders over $300.

Is it legal to buy Oxytocin Acetate?

In the United States, Oxytocin Acetate is sold strictly for laboratory and research purposes only. It is not approved by the FDA for human consumption and is not sold for that purpose. Regulatory status varies by jurisdiction — buyers are responsible for compliance in their own region.

Pharmacokinetics

Stability Lyophilised powder: store in freezer (−20 °C). Reconstituted: refrigerate 1–6 °C, away from sunlight. Use within the validated stability window for the specific batch and formulation. Notes Oxytocin has a short plasma half-life, commonly reported in the range of 1–6 minutes, with rapid enzymatic degradation by oxytocinase and hepatic/renal clearance. Central nervous system penetration after peripheral administration is limited and remains actively debated — a significant methodological caveat in the intranasal social-cognition literature. Intravenous, intramuscular and intranasal routes all appear in published work; oral bioavailability is negligible due to gastrointestinal peptidase degradation. These figures describe published research protocols and are not a dosing recommendation.

Evidence Tier

Overall: Tier 1: Human clinical

Oxytocin has an exceptionally strong evidence base for its core pharmacology: its structure, synthesis, receptor and peripheral smooth-muscle actions are established beyond reasonable dispute, and a medicinal oxytocin product is approved and in clinical use for obstetric indications. Evidence quality is markedly weaker for the central social-cognition literature, where CNS penetration after peripheral administration is contested and several prominent behavioural findings have replicated poorly. The material supplied here is unapproved research-grade laboratory material, not the approved medicinal product.

Source References & Further Reading

Last reviewed: 29 July 2026 · New-U Research Compounds

PubMed: peer-reviewed literature on Oxytocin Acetate

ClinicalTrials.gov: registered studies on Oxytocin Acetate

Oxytocin Acetate: Wikipedia

WebMD: consumer health reference

BBC News: Health

CNN Health: “Peptides: what to know about the wellness trend”

Sky News: “Can peptides make America healthy again?”

Sky News: “Inside the exploding US peptides craze” (video)

Sky News Australia: “Black market peptide trade explodes as influencers fuel uptick in use”

Sky News Australia: “Backyard peptide boom sparks alarm” (video)

Sky News Australia: “Oprah reveals struggle with shame of weight-loss drugs”

Key Characteristics

Nine-residue cyclic peptide with a Cys1–Cys6 disulfide bridge

Acetate salt form of the endogenous hormone oxytocin

First peptide hormone sequenced and chemically synthesised (1953-55)

Canonical agonist at the oxytocin receptor (OXTR), a class-A GPCR

Differs from vasopressin at only two residues — cross-reactivity must be controlled

Short plasma half-life, commonly reported at 1–6 minutes

CNS penetration after peripheral administration remains contested

Research-grade purity: >99% HPLC — not the approved medicinal product

Specifications

Molecular Formula C 43 H 66 N 12 O 12 S 2 (free peptide) Molecular Weight 1007.19 Da (free peptide) Sequence Cys-Tyr-Ile-Gln-Asn-Cys-Pro-Leu-Gly-NH 2 Structure Cyclic, disulfide bridge Cys1–Cys6 Salt Form Acetate Purity >99% (HPLC) Form Lyophilised powder Target Oxytocin receptor (OXTR), class-A GPCR Solubility Bacteriostatic water or sterile saline Storage Lyophilised: −20 °C freezer. Reconstituted: 1-6 °C, away from light.

About Oxytocin Acetate: Receptor Pharmacology and Social-Neuroscience Research Guide

Few molecules have as clean a place in the history of chemistry as oxytocin. When Vincent du Vigneaud determined its structure and then synthesised it in the early 1950s, it became the first peptide hormone to be fully characterised and made in the laboratory — work recognised with the 1955 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. The molecule itself is compact and elegant: nine amino acids, closed into a ring by a disulfide bridge between the first and sixth cysteine residues, with a three-residue tail ending in an amide.

Its pharmacology divides cleanly into the settled and the contested. The settled part is peripheral: oxytocin is the canonical agonist at the oxytocin receptor, a class-A GPCR signalling through Gq/11 and phospholipase C, and its effects on uterine and mammary smooth muscle are among the best-standardised assays in the field. The contested part is central. A very large literature reports effects of intranasal oxytocin on trust, social recognition and affiliative behaviour, but how much peripherally administered peptide actually reaches the central nervous system remains genuinely unresolved, and several prominent behavioural findings have replicated poorly. Researchers working in that area also have to contend with the two-residue similarity to vasopressin, which produces real cross-reactivity at V1a and V2 receptors unless selective antagonists are used as controls.

New-U Research Compounds supplies oxytocin acetate as a research-grade lyophilised powder at >99% HPLC purity. All material is strictly for in-vitro and preclinical research use. An approved medicinal oxytocin product exists and is used clinically under professional supervision — this is not that product, is not a substitute for it, and is not approved for human therapeutic use. Nothing on this page constitutes medical advice or a dosing recommendation.

Oxytocin - Wikipedia

Oxytocin receptor - Wikipedia

Vincent du Vigneaud - Wikipedia

Vasopressin - Wikipedia

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Research use only — not for human consumption. All products are supplied strictly for laboratory research purposes.