Skip to main content

Long-Lasting Effects Of Pregnancy Hormones On The Brain Uncovered: Study

By
Long-Lasting Effects Of Pregnancy Hormones On The Brain Uncovered By Scientists

Pregnancy leads to a rewiring of the brain in preparation for motherhood.

A new study has found that pregnancy leads to a permanent rewiring of neurons in the brain, which may help to explain the dramatic changes in behaviour and emotions that many women experience during and after pregnancy.

Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute have shown that pregnancy hormones 'rewire' the brain to prepare mice for motherhood. Their findings, published in journal Science, show that both oestrogen and progesterone act on a small population of neurons in the brain to switch on parental behaviour even before offspring arrive. These adaptations resulted in stronger and more selective responses to pups.

As per a news release, it is well known that while virgin female rodents do not show much interaction with pups, mothers spend most of their time looking after them. It was thought that hormones released when giving birth were most crucial for this onset of maternal behaviour.

But earlier research also showed that rats who have given birth by Caesarean section and virgin mice exposed to pregnancy hormones still display this maternal behaviour, suggesting that hormone changes already during pregnancy may be more important.

In the current study, the researchers found that female mice indeed showed increased parental behaviour during late pregnancy and that exposure to pups wasn't necessary for this change in behaviour. They found that a population of nerve cells (galanin-expressing neurons) in an area of the brain called the medial preoptic area (MPOA) in the hypothalamus, associated with parenting, was impacted by oestrogen and progesterone.

"We know that the female body changes during pregnancy to prepare for growing up young. One example is the production of milk, which starts long before giving birth. Our research shows that such preparations are taking place in the brain, too," said Jonny Kohl, Group Leader of the State-Dependent Neural Processing Laboratory at the Crick.

"We think that these changes, often referred to as 'baby brain', cause a change in priority: virgin mice focus on mating, so don't need to respond to other females' pups, whereas mothers need to perform robust parental behaviour to ensure pup survival. What's fascinating is that this switch doesn't happen at birth; the brain is preparing much earlier for this big life change."

Adblock test (Why?)



from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/QJuXyC7 https://ift.tt/9AeRS4m
via IFTTT
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Salaries Of 12700 Punjab Teachers Tripled After Regularisation

By
Punjab government has tripled the salaries of 12,700 teachers, who were regularised recently. Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday said the salaries of 12,700 teachers, who were regularised recently, have been increased by up to three times. In a statement here, Mr Mann said these teachers will be known as associate teachers and special inclusive teachers, adding that they will be governed by a 'Policy for Welfare of Adhoc, Contractual, Temporary Teachers (Nation Builders) and other employees in the School Education Department'. Based on their educational qualifications and primary conditions for entry into services, their emoluments have been fixed up to the completion of 58 years in service. Mr Mann said these teachers will be entitled to an increment of 5 per cent on their salaries every year. The chief minister said BA pass education providers (associate teachers) who were hitherto getting Rs 9,500 per month will now get Rs 20,500 as an emolum...
Post a Comment
Read more

"Mandir" Tag To Health Centers Sparks Backlash In Ladakh

By
The new signages of Ayushman Health Centres raised eyebrows in Ladakh. Srinagar: The renaming of Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness centers as Ayushman Arogya Mandir has sparked backlash in Ladakh. After red flag by Ladakh Buddhist Association, the BJP ruled Ladakh Autonomous Council has asked the Lieutenant Governor to "respect public sentiment". "I am taking the liberty to express my concerns, as well as of the public, regarding the recent renaming of the Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness centers to Ayushman Arogya Mandir," Tashi Gyalson, Chairman cum Chief Executive Councilor of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, wrote to Lieutenant Governor, Brig (Retired) B.D. Mishra. "It has come to my attention that this change has generated significant resentment among the public, necessitating prompt attention and resolution," wrote Mr Gyalson. Referring to Health ministry directive, Mr Gyalson, who is also a senior BJP leader, said it was stip...
Post a Comment
Read more

Mob Attacks Hindu Procession In Maharashtra's Thane, Case Filed: Cops

By
The incident took place on Sunday night on Lodha Road, police said. (Representational) Thane: A mob of 50-60 persons was booked by Mira Bhayander Vasai Virar police in Thane district for allegedly assaulting a man who was part of a procession on the eve of the idol consecration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, an official said. The incident took place on Sunday night on Lodha Road and as per the complainant the mob armed with iron rods, sticks, bats shouted religious slogans and assaulted him when he was part of a procession comprising three vehicles and 10 two-wheelers, the official said. They vandalised the car with stones and sticks, the man said in his complaint to Naya Nagar police station. "A case of attempt to murder and other offences has been registered against a mob of 50-60 persons. Further probe is underway," the official added. (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.) Adblock test (Wh...
Post a Comment
Read more