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Cited by 187Neuroendocrine regulation and behaviorHypothalamic control of reproductive hormonesNeuropeptides and Animal Physiology

Chapter 1 Brain preparations for maternity — adaptive changes in behavioral and neuroendocrine systems during pregnancy and lactation. An overview

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Russell, John A., Douglas, Alison J., Ingram, Colin D.·2001·Progress in brain research
DOI 10.1016/s0079-6123(01)33002-9
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Abstract

Pregnancy, parturition and lactation comprise a continuum of adaptive changes necessary for the development and maintenance of the offspring. The endocrine changes that are driven by the conceptus and are essential for the maintenance of pregnancy and are involved in the preparations for motherhood are outlined. These changes include large increases in the secretion of sex steroid hormones, and the secretion of peptide hormones that are unique to pregnancy. The ability of these pregnancy hormones to alter several aspects of brain function in pregnancy is considered, and the adaptive importance of some of these changes is discussed, for example in metabolic and body fluid adjustments, and the induction of maternal behavior. The importance of sex steroids in determining the timing of the various adaptive changes in preparing for parturition and maternal behavior is emphasized, and the concept that the actions of prolactin and oxytocin, quintessential mammalian motherhood neuropeptides, can serve to coordinate a spectrum of adaptive changes is discussed. The part played by oxytocin neurons and their regulatory mechanisms is reviewed to illustrate how neural systems involved in maternity are prepared in pregnancy via changes in phenotype, synaptic organization and in the relative importance of their different inputs, to function optimally when needed. For oxytocin neurons secreting from the posterior pituitary, important in parturition and essential in lactation, these changes include mechanisms to restrain their premature activation, and adaptations to support synchronized burst firing for pulsatile oxytocin secretion in response to stimulation via afferents from the birth canal, olfactory system or suckled nipples. Within the brain, expression of oxytocin receptors permits centrally released oxytocin to facilitate the expression of maternal behavior. Changes in other neuroendocrine systems are similarly extensive, leading to lactation, suppression of ovulation, reduced stress responses and increased appetite; these changes in lactation are driven by the suckling stimulus. The possible link between these adaptations and changes in cognition and mood in pregnancy and post partum are considered, as well as the dysfunctions that lead to common problems of depression and puerperal psychoses.

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Authors
Russell, J. A., Douglas, A. J., & Ingram, C. D.
Affiliations
  • University of Edinburgh (GB)
  • Royal Victoria Infirmary (GB)
Corresponding author
Russell, John A.
ORCID
Ingram, Colin D.
Venue
Progress in brain research
Publisher
Elsevier
Published
2001
Volume
133
Pages
1-38
ISSN
0079-6123 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/s0079-6123(01)33002-9
OpenAlex
W1553000526
Cited by
187
References
333
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 2 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 12 · 2014: 15 · 2013: 8 · 2012: 7
FWCI
17.40
Type
book chapter
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Progress in brain research (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Newcastle University ePrints (Newcastle Univesity)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Hypothalamic control of reproductive hormones
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuropeptides and Animal Physiology
Keywords
pregnancy, lactation, childbirth, maternal behavior, neuroendocrine adaptation, sex hormones, oxytocin, prolactin, oxytocin neurons, oxytocin receptor, suckling stimulus, ovulation inhibition, stress response, appetite, postpartum depression, postpartum psychosis, pregnancy hormones
MeSH terms
Adaptation, Physiological, Animals, Brain, Female, Humans, Labor, Obstetric, Lactation, Neurosecretory Systems, Pregnancy

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