Analytical methods for the quantitative determination of oxytocin

Abstract

Oxytocin is a clinically important nonapeptide that is used for the induction and/or augmentation of labor and is normally administered as a slow intravenous infusion diluted with normal saline or Ringer’s lactate solution. Oxytocin is also indicated for use in the prevention and treatment of post partum hemorrhage and may be administered via either the intramuscular or intravenous routes in order to increase uterine tone and/or reduce bleeding. The analysis of oxytocin in different media has evolved over the past 30 years with the result that more sophisticated, selective and sensitive techniques are used for the determination of the compound. A variety of techniques have been applied to the determination of oxytocin in different matrices ranging from simple paper chromatography to hyphenated liquid chromatographic such as liquid chromatography coupled with mass-spectrometry. Additionally enzyme linked immuno-sorbent assays (ELISA) and radio immuno-assays (RIA) are used for the determination of low concentrations of oxytocin in biological matrices. This manuscript provides a systematic survey of the analytical methods that have been reported for isolation and quantitation of oxytocin in different matrices.