Microarray evidence that 8-cell human embryos express some hormone family members including oxytocin

ConclusionsThe 8-cell human embryo may be secreting oxytocin, which could stimulate its own progress down the fallopian tube as well as play a role in early neural precursor development. The 8-cell embryo does not synthesize reproductive steroid hormones. As previously reported for growth factor families, the early embryo over-expresses more hormones than hormone receptors.
Source: Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics - Category: Reproduction Medicine Source Type: research