Optometry Admission Test (OAT) Practice

What is the function of oxytocin during labor?

1. It helps in milk production only

2. It stimulates oxygen delivery to the fetus

3. It stimulates uterine contractions

4. It promotes follicle maturation

The correct answer is: It stimulates uterine contractions

Oxytocin plays a crucial role in the process of labor by stimulating uterine contractions. This hormone is produced by the posterior pituitary gland and acts on the smooth muscle of the uterus, enhancing the strength and frequency of contractions during labor. As the contractions become more intense and regular, they facilitate the progression of labor, helping to move the baby down the birth canal. The function of oxytocin extends beyond just initiating labor; it also plays a role in the delivery process, as well as in the bonding between mother and child following birth. Its primary action during labor directly correlates to the contraction of the uterus, which is vital for a successful delivery. Other options, while mentioning other functions of hormones or processes, do not pertain to the specific role of oxytocin during labor. For instance, the promotion of milk production is primarily influenced by prolactin rather than oxytocin, while the delivery of oxygen to the fetus is managed by the maternal circulatory system and is not a direct action of oxytocin. Follicle maturation is primarily driven by hormones like FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) and is unrelated to the labor process.