Plasma oxytocin concentration during pregnancy is associated with development of postpartum depression
Open accessAbstract
Postpartum depression (PPD) affects up to 19% of all women after parturition. The non-apeptide oxytocin (OXT) is involved in adjustment to pregnancy, maternal behavior, and bonding. Our aim was to examine the possible association between plasma OXT during pregnancy and the development of PPD symptoms. A total of 74 healthy, pregnant women were included in this prospective study. During the third trimester of pregnancy and within 2 weeks after parturition, PPD symptoms were assessed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Blood samples for plasma OXT assessment were collected in the third trimester. Following the literature, participants with postpartum EPDS scores of 10 or more were regarded as being at risk for PPD development (rPPD group). In a logistic regression analysis, plasma OXT was included as a potential predictor for being at risk for PPD. Results were controlled for prepartal EPDS score, sociodemographic and birth-outcome variables. Plasma OXT concentration in mid-pregnancy significantly predicted PPD symptoms at 2 weeks postpartum. Compared with the no-risk-for-PPD group, the rPPD group was characterized by lower plasma OXT concentrations. To our knowledge, this is the first study to show an association between prepartal plasma OXT concentration and postpartal symptoms of PPD in humans. Assuming a causal relationship, enhancing OXT release during pregnancy could serve as a potential target in prepartum PPD prevention, and help to minimize adverse effects of PPD on the mother-child relationship.
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Disruptions to parental-infant bonding, such as premature birth or maternal postpartum depression, are expressed in lower peripheral oxytocin, lower respiratory sinus arrhythmia, and reduced social behavior.
“disruptions to parental-infant bonding, in cases such as premature birth or maternal postpartum depression, are expressed in lower peripheral OT (14), lower RSA (53), and reduced social behavior (54).”
From Oxytocin administration to parent enhances infant physiological and behavioral readiness for social engagement (2012) · cites this paper as [14]
The link between caesarean delivery and depression risk in mothers may involve OT.
“This supports the controversial link between caesarean delivery and depression risk in mothers that may involve OT (39).”
From Neuroendocrinology of Parental Response to Baby‐Cry (2011) · cites this paper as [39]
Expectant mothers at risk for post-partum depression have lower plasma OT during pregnancy (Skrundz et al., 2011).
“preliminary observations that expectant mothers at risk for post-partum depression have lower plasma OT during pregnancy (Skrundz et al., 2011)”
From Approaching the biology of human parental attachment: Brain imaging, oxytocin and coordinated assessments of mothers and fathers (2014) · cites this paper as Skrundz et al., 2011
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References 64 · Cited by 349
Research works printed but not linked: 1
- Gavin NI, Gaynes BN, Lohr KN, Meltzer-Brody S, Gartlehner G, Swinson T (2005). Perinatal depressionFA systematic review of prevalence and incidence. Obstetr Gynecol 106: 1071-1083.
- Authors
- Skrundz, M., Bolten, M., Nast, I., Hellhammer, D. H., & Meinlschmidt, G.
- Affiliations
- University of Basel (CH)
- Universität Trier (DE)
- Corresponding author
- Meinlschmidt, Gunther
- Venue
- Neuropsychopharmacology
- Published
- 2011-05-11
- Volume
- 36
- Issue
- 9
- Pages
- 1886-1893
- ISSN
- 0893-133X (ISSN-L)
- 1740-634X
- PMC
- PMC3154107
- OpenAlex
- W2157079982
- Cited by
- 349
- References
- 64
- Citations by year
- 2026: 13 · 2025: 19 · 2024: 18 · 2023: 13 · 2022: 21 · 2021: 34 · 2020: 33 · 2019: 26 · 2018: 21 · 2017: 15 · 2016: 30 · 2015: 29 · 2014: 34 · 2013: 20 · 2012: 15
- FWCI
- 24.18
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Licence
- www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
- Locations
- Neuropsychopharmacology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- edoc (University of Basel) (acceptedVersion)
- Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften digital collection (Zurich University of Applied Sciences) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- edoc (University of Basel)
- Funders
- National Science Foundation
- Universität Basel (51A240-104890)
- Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung (104890)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Obstetrics and Gynecology › Maternal and Perinatal Health Interventions
- Keywords
- postpartum depression, oxytocin, pregnancy, third trimester, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, maternal mental health, mother-child relationship
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Female, Humans, Infant, Newborn, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Oxytocin, Predictive Value of Tests, Pregnancy, Pregnancy Complications, Pregnancy Trimester, Third, Prospective Studies, Risk Factors, Biomarkers, Depression, Postpartum
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