The Neurobiological Mechanisms of Postpartum Depression: Observing Oxytocin’s Role in the Paraventricular Nucleus of the Hypothalamus Using a Hamster Model
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2017
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Haverford College. Department of Psychology
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Thesis
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Award
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eng
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Bi-College users only
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Abstract
Postpartum depression is a condition that affects new mothers’ cognition and behavior, as well as her ability to raise the child. It affects up to 15% of women who give birth and has a wide variety of symptoms. Despite its prevalence and severity, though, the neurobiological mechanisms underlying the condition remain understudied. During pregnancy and postpartum, dramatic hormone changes occur and may play a key role in the neurobiological and behavioral aspects in postpartum depression – of note is the rise in ovarian hormones followed by their sudden drop after giving birth. Current research also suggests that the dysregulation of the hormone oxytocin (OXT), which is synthesized in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVH) and medial amygdala (MA), underlies the onset of postpartum depression. We modeled the postpartum hormonal changes in a hamster model, and specifically looked for changes in OXT-producing neurons in the PVH and MA using an immunohistochemical reaction. During behavioral testing, we hypothesized that hormone withdrawn animals would show a decreased preference for sugar water, and during immunohistochemistry, we hypothesized that this same group would show a significantly lower count of OXT cells, while control animals would show a significantly higher count. Interestingly, results showed the opposite of what we predicted – hormone withdrawn animals had a significantly higher count of OXT cells and vice versa. These results contain implications for potential fluctuations of OXT levels within the postpartum period itself.