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Using Chronic Social Stress to Model Postpartum Depression in Lactating Rodents
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Lactation improves pancreatic β cell mass and function through serotonin production.

Joon Ho Moon1,2, Hyeongseok Kim1,3, Hyunki Kim1

  • 1Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Korea.

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Lactation offers long-term metabolic benefits for women, improving glucose tolerance and insulin secretion for years after childbirth. This is mediated by serotonin, which enhances beta cell function and survival.

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Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Metabolic Health
  • Reproductive Biology

Background:

  • Pregnancy causes significant metabolic changes, including weight gain and insulin resistance.
  • Lactation is known to reduce the risk of postpartum diabetes, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the long-term effects of lactation on maternal metabolic health and beta cell function.
  • To elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which lactation confers long-term metabolic benefits.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative analysis of metabolic phenotypes and beta cell characteristics in lactating and non-lactating humans and mice.
  • Assessment of glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, and disposition index at various postpartum time points.
  • Investigation of the role of prolactin and serotonin in mediating lactation's effects on beta cells.

Main Results:

  • Lactated women showed improved glucose tolerance and a higher disposition index years after delivery compared to non-lactated women.
  • Lactation in mice led to improved glucose tolerance, increased beta cell mass, and enhanced insulin secretion.
  • Serotonin, induced by prolactin in beta cells, was identified as a key mediator, promoting beta cell proliferation and survival via serotonin receptor 2B and reducing oxidative stress.

Conclusions:

  • Lactation provides sustained, long-term benefits for maternal metabolic health, extending years beyond cessation.
  • Serotonin plays a crucial role in mediating these benefits by stimulating beta cell proliferation and enhancing beta cell survival through antioxidant effects.
  • These findings highlight a novel mechanism involving serotonin in the beneficial metabolic adaptations to lactation.