The Plastic and Functional Changes in Hippocampal Neurons During Pregnancy, Delivery, and Postpartum Are Reversed by Offspring Deprivation

    August 2020 in “ Current psychopharmacology ”
    Maria Cristina Mostallino, Pietro Paolo Secci, Emanuele Paci, Maria Consuelo Mura, Elisabetta Maciocco, Enrico Sanna, Giovanni Biggio
    Image of study
    TLDR Pregnancy and nursing increase certain brain activities in rats, but these changes disappear when the babies are taken away.
    The study aimed to evaluate the changes in neurotrophic factors, synaptic plasticity, and neurogenesis in the hippocampus of rats during pregnancy, lactation, and after being deprived of their pups. The study found that Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), Activity-regulated Cytoskeletal (Arc) protein expression, and dendritic spine density (DSD) significantly increased after 21 days of pregnancy and lasted for 21 days during lactation. These changes were associated with a dramatic reduction of neurosteroid content. However, these effects were abolished by physiological weaning (21 days after delivery). An increase in cell proliferation was observed after 21 days of pregnancy, but decreased during the first three weeks of postpartum. The drugs Finasteride and Clomiphene did not modify these changes. Deprivation of pups induced a rapid reduction in BDNF, Arc, and DSD while increasing cell proliferation. The study concluded that these changes in the plastic properties of hippocampal neurons may play a crucial role in the modulation of maternal care in rats.
    Discuss this study in the Community →

    Related Community Posts Join

    6 / 1000+ results

      community I have been battling hair loss for 20 years, feel free to ask me anything

      in Progress Pictures  152 upvotes 2 years ago
      A user's 20 year journey with hair loss and the treatments they have used to manage it, including finasteride, minoxidil, a custom Strut Blend of Dutasteride, Minoxidil, Tretinoin, and Biotin, Nizoral shampoo, multivitamins, Vitamin D, B Complex, Dim, Clomid, exercise, diet, laser helmet, Toppik dark brown, and topical Finasteride. The user also talks about their successful life, lack of desire for children and high sperm count due to Clomid.

      community Topical fin formulation question

      in Finasteride  91 upvotes 1 week ago
      A user is making a homemade topical finasteride solution by dissolving crushed finasteride tablets in ethanol and PG. They are unsure if the final solution maintains the intended concentration after filtering and are considering adding more ethanol to ensure accuracy.

      community Topical finasteride carrier/vehicle

      in Finasteride  135 upvotes 3 weeks ago
      The user is considering making a homemade topical finasteride solution using an ethanol-based carrier. They are inquiring if a solution containing partially denatured ethyl alcohol and benzalkonium chloride is suitable.

      community Chest discomfort on finasteride?

      in Finasteride  72 upvotes 3 months ago
      A user experienced chest discomfort after taking finasteride for hair loss and is concerned about whether it is a side effect or an allergy. They are advised to consult a doctor and consider other hair loss treatments if necessary.
      M27 Fin/Min (topical) was fun while it lasted

      community M27 Fin/Min (topical) was fun while it lasted

      in Finasteride  126 upvotes 3 months ago
      The user experienced significant hair regrowth using topical Minoxidil and Finasteride but had to stop due to high liver enzyme levels. They plan to pause treatment for a month to see if their liver values return to normal.

      community Getting Ed from 1mg of fin not sure what to do

      in Finasteride  190 upvotes 4 months ago
      The user experienced erectile dysfunction from 1mg finasteride and sought advice on whether to continue, reduce dosage, or switch treatments. Suggestions included switching to topical finasteride, adding minoxidil, or trying dutasteride.

    Similar Research

    5 / 1000+ results