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This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) All Versions of this Article: 586/2/377    most recent jphysiol.2007.145896v1 Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Slattery, D. A. Articles by Neumann, I. D. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Slattery, D. A. Articles by Neumann, I. D. Related Collections Review articles Neuroscience

¹ Department of Behavioural & Molecular Neuroendocrinology, Institute of Zoology, University of Regensburg, Germany

The time around birth is accompanied by behavioural and physiological adaptations of the maternal brain, which ensure reproductive functions, maternal care and the survival of the offspring. In addition, profound neuroendocrine and neurobiological adaptations have been described with respect to behavioural and neuroendocrine stress responsiveness in rodents and human mothers. Thus, the hormonal response of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the response of the sympathetic nervous system to emotional and physical stressors are severely attenuated. Moreover, anxiety-related behaviour and emotional responsiveness to stressful stimuli are reduced with the result of general calmness. These complex adaptations of the maternal brain are likely to be a consequence of an increased activity of brain systems with inhibitory effects on the HPA axis (such as the oxytocin and prolactin systems) and of a reduced activity of excitatory pathways (noradrenaline (norepinephrine), corticotrophin-releasing factor and opioids). Experimental manipulation of these systems using complementary approaches indeed demonstrates their importance in these maternal brain adaptations. Maternal stress adaptations are not only important for the healthy prenatal development of the offspring by preventing excessive glucocorticoid responses and in the promotion of postnatal maternal behaviour, but are also vital for the well-being of the mother and her mental health.

(Received 1 October 2007; accepted after revision 29 October 2007; first published online 1 November 2007)
Corresponding author I. D. Neumann: Department of Behavioural & Molecular Neuroendocrinology, Institute of Zoology, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstrasse 31, D-93053 Regensburg, Germany. Email: inga.neumann{at}biologie.uni-regensburg.de

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