Postpartum scarcity-adversity disrupts maternal behavior and induces a hypodopaminergic state in the rat dam and adult female offspring.

ABSTRACT: Postpartum adversity is among the strongest predictors for the emergence of postpartum depression (PPD) in humans and a translational risk factor employed in rodent models. Parental care is disturbed under conditions of environmental adversity, including low resource environments, and in PPD. Nonetheless, the neural changes associated with these adversity-induced maladaptive behavioral states remain poorly understood. Postpartum scarcity-adversity can be modeled in rats by providing the dam with limited bedding and nesting (LBN) materials, which mimics the effects of a stressful low resource environment in potentiating maltreatment/neglect in humans. Indeed, LBN exposure from postpartum days (PD) 2-9 increased adverse maternal behaviors, impaired pup retrieval, and increased passive stress

SUBMITTER: Rincon-Cortes M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8674224 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature