How and where is oxytocin stored in the hypothalamus?

Submitted by Aaronlvx t3_11pikw0 in askscience

Based on my research, oxytocin is synthesized in magnocellular neurons and transported to the posterior pituitary where it is stored in granules before release into the peripheral parts of the body. However, oxytocin can be sent from these magnocellular neurons to other areas in the CNS as well. Are they stored inside these neurons the same way they are stored in the pituitary?

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DBeumont t1_jbyuhju wrote

Generally, neurons store neurotransmitters until it's time to fire. The neuron will then either wait for more supply, or in the case of dopamine neurons, synthesized inside the neuron itself. Without storing the oxytocin, there would be no way for the neuron to fire. It has to have one "in the chamber."

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BeneficialWarrant t1_jbziikc wrote

The answer is sort of both.

The cell has its perikaryon (body) in the hypothalamus (supraoptic nucleus) and axonal extensions in the posterior pituitary. So its inside of a cell of the supraoptic nucleus but its in the region called the posterior pituitary

Neurons are often quite long and synthesize neurotransmitters (or neurotransmitter precursors) in one area but then transport them intracellularly to a target area.

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