A postpartum model in rat: behavioral and gene expression changes induced by ovarian steroid deprivation.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Postpartum depression (PPD) affects approximately 10% to 20% of women during the first 4 weeks of the postpartum period and is characterized by labile mood with prominent anxiety and irritability, insomnia, and depressive mood. During the postpartum period, elevated ovarian hormones abruptly decrease to the early follicular phase levels that are postulated to play a major role in triggering PPD. However, the underlying neurobiological mechanisms that contribute to PPD have not been determined.

Methods

In the present study, we examined the effect of ovarian steroids, administered at levels that occur during human pregnancy followed by rapid withdrawal to simulate postpartum conditions, on behavior and gene expression in the rat.

Results

The results of behavi

SUBMITTER: Suda S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3714803 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature