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Decrease in neuronal spine density in the postpartum period in the amygdala and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis
Seiki Matsuo1, Ken Ichi Matsuda2, Keiko Takanami3
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan.
Neuroscience Letters
|January 25, 2017
Summary
Postpartum emotional instability may stem from hormonal shifts affecting brain regions like the amygdala and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST). Reduced dendritic spine density in these areas after birth correlates with these changes.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Reproductive Biology
- Behavioral Endocrinology
Background:
- Peripartum emotional instability and depression are common in women.
- Ovarian steroid hormone fluctuations during pregnancy and postpartum are implicated.
- The amygdala and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) are key emotion-regulating brain regions sensitive to these hormones.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate neuronal morphology changes in the amygdala (central and basolateral nuclei) and BNST during different stages of pregnancy and early postpartum in rats.
- To explore the impact of ovarian steroid hormone changes on neuronal structure in these emotion-related brain areas.
Main Methods:
- Golgi staining was used to analyze neuronal morphology.
- Rats were studied at mid-gestation (G15), late gestation (G20), and 4 days postpartum (P4).
- Comparisons were made with virgin females in the estrous phase (Est).
Main Results:
- Dendritic spine density, especially mature mushroom-type spines, significantly decreased in the central amygdala (CeA), basolateral amygdala (BLA), and BNST at P4 compared to G15, G20, and Est.
- The presence of pups at P4 further reduced spine density in the BNST compared to pup absence and other study phases.
Conclusions:
- Hormonal shifts during pregnancy and postpartum lead to significant alterations in neuronal morphology in key emotion-processing brain regions.
- These structural changes, particularly reduced dendritic spine density, may underlie peripartum emotional instability.
- Maternal care (pup presence) can further modulate neuronal structure in the BNST during the postpartum period.
