Estrogen receptor beta in lateral habenula mediates antidepressant effects of estrogen in postpartum-hormone-withdrawal-induced depression.

ABSTRACT: Dramatic drop in reproductive hormone, especially estrogen level, from pregnancy to postpartum period is known to contribute to postpartum depression (PPD), but the underlying mechanism and the role of the estrogen receptors (ERs) in this process were unclear. Here, we used an estrogen-withdrawal-induced PPD model following hormone simulated pregnancy (HSP) in female Sprague-Dawley rats to induce depressive-like behaviors. After estrogen withdrawal, we observe an up-regulation of astrocyte-specific potassium channel (Kir4.1) in the brain's anti-reward center lateral habenula (LHb), along with enhanced bursting and excitability of LHb neurons. Among all 3 subtypes of ERs in the LHb, only ERβ shows an HSP-correlated expression temporal dynamics. Systemic administration of selective ERβ agoni

SUBMITTER: Duan C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12700810 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature