BAN ON OXYTOCIN

Natural oxytocin is a nonapeptide hormone produced in the brain and released

both from specific brain sites and from the posterior pituitary into the general

circulation. Oxytocin receptors are found in both the brain and uterus and are

regulated in both these organs by the ovarian steroids, estradiol and progesterone.

Oxytocin hormone was first synthesized in 1955 by Dr. Vigneand who received

the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for this achievement.

“Neurogenic Activity in the Mammary Glands and Milk Ejection due to Oxytocin

Oxytocin binds to specific receptors on the myospithelial cell which contract

the alveoli, whereby milk will be expelled into the duct system. The small ducts

nearest the alveoli widen in response to oxytocin, but for expulsion of milk to

occur, the peripherally located larger milk ducts, Oxytocin acts indirectly to induce

milk ejection which is accompanied by an increased blood flow to the mammary

glands and the skin overlying these glands.

MISUSE OF OXYTOCIN

Injection Oxytocin is widely being misued in India for getting milk from cattle

and for getting high yield of vegetables. As per the report prepared by Dr. R.P.

Parashar, President, D.A.V. Research Society for Health, in a survey conducted in

Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Delhi, it was found that 82% cattle breeders were

using Inj. Oxytocin in the capital. 62% – 68% cattle breeders from adjoining areas

of Delhi like Sonipat, Rohtak, Faridabad, Gohana, Bahadurgarh, Loni, Ghaziabad,

Hapur, Buland Shahr etc. and 23% to 32% from remote areas of Uttar Pradesh and

Haryana were using Oxytocin for milking cows and buffaloes. Due to the effect

of Oxytocin, the pressure of milk increases very high into the udder of cattle and

even the most obstinate animals give milk very easily to get rid of the unbearable

pressure. Little quantity of this hormone preparation is secreted with milk, acts

as a slow poison after regular consumption and with passage of time, may give

rise to different diseases. Usually after 5 to 6 months of conceiving, animals stop

giving milk but cattle breeders continue milking the cattle three to four months

more by injecting oxytocin. This milk is even more harmful to the health.

The most unkind aspect of the use of Inj. Oxytocin to animals is terrible. Cows

and buffaloes writhe in pain due to the unbearable pressure in their udder after

the use of Inj. Oxytocin until the milk is not expelled fully. Secondly, to save the

consumption of milk by the calf (minimum one kilogram daily), the innocent

animal is killed by the cattle breeders. In this way, the cattle breeders save more

than 200 litres of milk in 7 months (the approximate period of milking). It means

a saving of Rs. 3000 approximately whereas the cost of Inj. Oxytocin comes to be

Rs. 100 only.

HAZARDOUS EFFECTS OF OXYTOCIN ON CATTLE

The regular use of Inj. Oxytocin exerting pressure on the udder of animals may

give rise to serious infection of the mammary glands. The shortening of estrus cycle

in animals due to the regular use of oxytocin resulting in early pregnancies give

rise to loss of contractility of uterus. Other diseases of G.I.T., liver, kidneys, uterus

etc. may also occur in animals. The main factor responsible for misuse of this

medicine is its low cost. One or two ml. ampule of Injection Oxytocin is available

@ 25 to 35 paise only.

As per a news report on the health hazards due to hormone injected milk

published in 16th April, 1997 issue of Times of India:

“HORMONE-INJECTED MILK POSES GRAVE HEALTH THREAT

The residue of the synthetic hormone – oxytocin – injected to the cows

everyday, comes into the milk. City milkmen who used the hormonal injection to

induce the cow to give more milk are largely ignorant of its carcinogenic effects

on the reproductive system of the cow – an uneconomic proposition, according

to a section of veterinarians. The fact that synthetic Oxytocin, manufactured in

large quantities in Patna and Mazaffarpur, are supplied to different cities of the

State for use by milkmen is testimony to the health hazards being faced by the

urban people, veterinarians claimed.

The head of the department of gynaecology, Patna Veterinary College, Dr. R.B.

Singh, said that ‘overuse of Oxytocin injection to induce the cow to give more milk

causes hormonal imbalances affecting its reproduction process to the point that

normal calfing (giving birth to a calf) is very badly affected’. ‘Apart from hazards

faced by the cows, the carcinogenic effect of this hormone is expected to affect

sexual growth of the girl child, who takes the synthetic hormone induced milk till

reaching her adulthood. It could cause even breast cancer and stunted growth of

the male child and development of less hair on the latter.’

A leading doctor, Dr. C.P. Thakur, however, said that prolonged use of such

milk might cause abortion in females as Oxytocin has the property to expel the

baby from the womb. In his Principle of Gynaecology, Sir Norman Jeffcoate, says

that Oxytocin stimulates the muscle of the uterus, in which the child develops, and

myoepithelial cells of the breasts. The synthetic form of Oxytocin could even cause

vaspopressure (i.e. increased blood pressure) and antidiuretic effect (decreases

urination). All this leaves ample scope for research over the hazards pointed out

by veterinary doctors.

In different cities, non-availability of grass for cows and the atrocious

behaviour of milkmen to make as much profit as they could by extracting milk

from the cow has given rise to indiscriminate use of synthetic hormone injections.

The general manager of COMPFED (Bihar Cooperative Milk Federation), also a

veterinarian, Dr. Raichaudhary emphatically stated that in urban areas, cross

breeds of cows of high yielding variety were being rendered sterile by milkmen,

thanks to synthetic Oxytocin injection.”

Pursuant to these and other reports, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

has pointed out in its letter dated 1st October, 1997 that “The following steps have

been taken under the provisions of the Drugs & Cosmetics Rules to rationalise the

use of the drug to prevent misuse:—

(i) The drug, Oxytocin Inj. has been taken under the purview of Schedule ‘H’

(Prescription drugs), so that no person/patient/milkman can purchase

the drug without having requisite prescription from Registered Medical

Practitioner or Registered Veterinarian.

(ii) All State Drug Controllers and Zonal Officers of the CDSCO have been

alerted to check the reported abuse of Oxytocin Inj. by the milkman for

letting out more milk from cows.

Despite the above directions Oxytocin ampules are easily and readily available

not only from the chemists but also from other unauthorised outlets catering to

the requirements of the dairy owners.

This indiscriminate misuse of Oxytocin is one of the primary contributory

factors in drastically reducing the economic span of a cow/buffalo, thereby

hastening the next inevitable step of abandonment. Oxytocin not only inflicts

agony and disease on the animals but it also enters the milk posing a serious health

threat for the children.

BAN ON USE OF OXYTOCIN

People For Animals, a registered animal welfare organisation, filed a Civil Writ

Petition No. 2119 of 1996 in the High Court of Madhya Pradesh seeking a ban on

the use of Oxytocin. The court by its order dated 11-2-1998 issued the following

directions:

“Dated 11-2-1998

1. A document dated 1st October, 1997 has been placed on record by the

counsel appearing for the State. This shows that the drug Oxytocin has been taken

under the Provisions of Drugs and Cosmetics Rules and has also been taken under

the purview of Schedule ‘H’ drugs which cannot be sold unless there is a

prescription of Registered Medical Practitioner or Registered Veterinarian, that is,

a doctor practising on veterinary side. In this document, the Central Government

has also directed all State Drug Controllers and Zonal Officers of the CDSCO to

check the reported abuse of Oxytocin injection by the milkman for getting out more

milk from cows. In view of the above circular the prayer made by the petitioner

in this petition has achieved the purpose.

In this view of the matter, this petition has, therefore, become infructuous and

as such it is finally disposed of with an observation that the officers of the State

Government are bound under the law to comply with the directions, made in the

circular dated 1st of October, 1997 by the Central Government.”